THE number of international students travelling to Bournemouth has plummeted since the Brexit vote and cost the local economy £60 million, it has been claimed.

Language schools, universities and colleges have seen a dramatic fall in those seeking to study in the town and they fear the government is sending out the wrong message to students across the world.

Until last year around 100,000 international students travelled to Bournemouth annually, contributing an estimated £300 million to the local economy.

A new study has revealed a 20 per cent drop with 20,000 fewer students and a £60 million loss.

Bournemouth's biggest language school, Anglo Continental, has seen student numbers fall by 800 in a year, representing a drop in revenue of £1million.

Steve King, chairman of the Regional Accredited Language Schools Association in Bournemouth, said the results of the EU referendum reaffirmed the belief across the world that overseas students are not welcome in the UK.

He told the Daily Echo: "I travel a lot in my job and people were already feeling unwelcome in the UK because of the way the government speaks out about immigration and making it difficult for people to come here.

"The Brexit vote reaffirmed that and it is also very costly and difficult to get a visa to come here. Now students are looking elsewhere."

Mr King said most language schools are able to adapt because they use temporary staff at busy times.

But he warned that restaurants, shops, hotels and other businesses in the area are being affected by the drop in numbers.

"Many students come here with a lot of money to spend. Their families also come to visit them, bringing a lot to the local economy."

South West MEP Molly Scott Cato has pledged to do all she can to reverse the trend.

She said: "Far from being the global and outward looking nation that Theresa May seems to think Brexit will make us, there is a growing perception that the UK is unwelcoming to foreign students. This combined with uncertainty about what will happen post-Brexit and a difficult-to-navigate visa system is driving foreign students to more welcoming destinations.

"The message to students is clear - we are not open for business - and this is having a hugely negative impact on the economy of places like Bournemouth that have always been so welcoming to students."

She added: "I am determined to do all I can to defend the rights of young people across the EU to continue to enjoy freedom to travel, study and work across Europe. I want the UK to continue to welcome them for the important economic, social and cultural contribution they make to society."