WORCESTERSHIRE'S tourist attractions have helped the region pull in 3.3 million extra visitors in the past two years.

A new poll by the Heart of England Tourist Board confirmed tourism in the Heart of England was going from strength to strength.

Figures released last Friday showed the number of people visiting the region's attractions - including Worcester Cathedral, the porcelain works, Commandery and Elgar's Birthplace - had risen by 17 per cent to 19.7m.

But the news was dampened by statistics from the British Tourist Authority showing a one per cent drop in the number of foreign tourists setting foot on British shores.

"The tendency has been for visitors, especially from overseas, to focus on city breaks in London," said Amanda Savidge, of Royal Worcester Porcelain.

"It's easier now to get around the country and I think that Worcestershire has a tremendous amount to offer.

"It's one of the unspoiled and undiscovered areas that people are just beginning to learn about."

She said the number of coaches visiting the museum and factory had risen by a third this year.

"The way Worcestershire is dealing with tourism is actually changing," she added.

"We work very closely with other visitor attractions."

Margaret Fotheringham of the Elgar Birthplace Museum - which has recently opened the Elgar Centre - said attractions needed to change to meet visitors' needs.

"Elgar's very topical at the moment," she said.

"We're expecting our visitor numbers to increase significantly with the new centre."

Michael Elliott, chief executive for the Heart of England Tourist Board said tourism was making a huge contribution to the region's economy.

"The spending by overseas visitors has grown significantly and the number of visits originating in this country continues to increase," he said.

"This is indicative of the strong products we have in this region, from family-based attractions to high quality hotels and sport facilities backed up by excellent information provision."

The board's figures revealed annual spending by visitors was £1.5bn - its highest ever.

Chairman Sir William Lawrence, who has business interests in Worcester, said the statistics showed tourism was booming.

"We must not be complacent, but should continue to help our partners in the region develop and grow tourism to this area for the benefit of both people who live here and for the visitors," he added.