HOTELS were fully booked around the area at the weekend despite the temperamental Bank Holiday weather.

Sun-seekers headed for the beach yesterday to make the most of a reasonably bright day.

With Saturday seeing showers and today set to be wet, the beaches were busy with people making the most of a mostly warm, sunny day.

Bournemouth Accommodation and Hotel Association, which represents the industry in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, reported a bumper weekend.

Chairman Andrew Woodland said indications from his colleagues were positive. He said: “There are no rooms within a 40-mile radius of Bournemouth available on the usual booking websites.”

Police yesterday reported delays on the A351 into Purbeck because of holiday weekend traffic.

Alan Power, chairman of Swanage and Purbeck Hospitality Association, said: “There’s still a slight downturn against previous years. Things are improving but they’re not back up to the level they were yet.”