THE boss of the Poole-based leisure giant Merlin Entertainments has said London will “bounce back” after visitor numbers dropped following the recent terrorist attacks.

Merlin runs famous attractions such as the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, as well as Legoland, Alton Towers, Sea Life, Blackpool Tower and more.

Chief executive Nick Varney said the impact of recent terror attacks remained “unclear”.

A trading statement from the company said trading in its Midway London Division had been good in the early part of the year, with the weak pound encouraging more visitors from overseas.

This trend continued in the aftermath of the Westminster attack on March 22, although the atrocity led to a “softer domestic day-trip market”.

But the subsequent Manchester and London attacks led to a further fall in domestic demand. The company was “cautious” about trends in foreign visitors over the coming months.

It also said “a number” of its UK parks had been adversely affected by the terror attacks and heightened security concerns.

Mr Varney said: “I am pleased that we are making good progress towards our 2020 new business development milestones.

“That said, the impact of recent terror attacks on our London attractions is unclear at this stage. What is clear however is that London has bounced back before, and will do again.

“I have every confidence in the longer term resilience and growth trajectory of the market. London is very much open for business, welcoming visitors from the UK and from around the world to this exciting and vibrant city.

“Merlin has a diverse portfolio of global brands with over 70 per cent of 2016 profits from outside the UK and this proportion will only grow over time as we continue to invest internationally. I remain confident in the company’s underlying growth prospects.”

Merlin opened around 250 accommodation rooms in Legoland Florida and Legoland Billund. It has opened Legoland Discovery Centres in Melbourne and Philadelphia and Madame Tussauds Nashville. Sea Life Centre Chongqing will open in China tomorrow and its Little Big City will open in Berlin in July. Legoland Japan opened in April.