TOURIST attractions across Wyre Forest have enjoyed a successful summer, in stark contrast to the hardship endured by some Kidderminster traders.

Severn Valley Railway (SVR), Bodenham Arboretum and Wyre Forest Visitor Centre have reported record tourist numbers in the past three months.

West Midland Safari Park has also enjoyed a fantastic summer's business, making up for the disastrous effects of last year's foot-and-mouth crisis.

However, traders in Stourport-on-Severn, Kidderminster and Bewdley have have blamed roadworks and lack of parking for a decline in visitors.

SVR marketing manager, John Leach, said the steam railway had enjoyed record passenger numbers last year and this year the figures were up again.

"We are very pleased with the way things are going. We have moved one of our major diesel gala events from April to October and, taking that into account, we are enjoying record numbers of passengers."

Business booming

Bodenham Arboretum owner Jennifer Binnian said business was booming at the award-winning site. It had enjoyed record numbers and takings were up 35 to 40 per cent on last year.

"I think people have reacted to the foot-and-mouth crisis and heeded the message about getting out and about in the countryside," she said.

At Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, Callow Hill, which annually sees 170,000 visitors, franchise owner Tony Winnall said: "It has been a record-breaking year, extremely busy."

Meanwhile, the safari park's £1.5m investment in new attractions has paid dividends after the worst year in its history when it had to close for two weeks due to foot-and-mouth.

"We are having one of the best summers in our 30-year history. Fingers crossed, it could be a record year," said spokeswoman Wendy Jackson.

"We had a fantastic start to the season, with a record-breaking Good Friday as everyone was queuing to see our new baby rhino, and it has gone from strength to strength since.

"Our new attractions, such as the sea-lion theatre, exotic creatures house and the Fly ride have gone down a storm with visitors.

Trade hit

In Kidderminster, however, trade has been hit by restricted car parking caused by redevelopment, while Bew-dley has suffered from major flood defence work and roadworks.

Stourport traders reported a disastrous start to the tourist season due to poor weather and concern over toilet facilities. The situation had not im-proved much, said managers at Shipley's fair and amusements park, and boat hire firm Stourport Steamer Company.

"Things have not been so good this year. Things are slowly picking up following the effects of foot-and-mouth but it's not been great," said boat company owner Trevor May.

He said poor weekend weather and problems with toilet facilities - there is just one super-loo serving the Riverside area - were continuing to have an effect.

Paul Parsons, park manager for Shipley's, in Stourport, said there had been a shortfall in visitor numbers to the town this summer.

"Most weekends it has rained and people have just stayed away," he said.