HOTELIERS and guesthouse owners are struggling to fill vacant rooms as forecasters continue to predict grey skies and gloomy weather.

Debbie Payne, director of the Boscombe Spa Resort Hotels group, said: "Unfortunately July has been a bit of a wash-out and most hoteliers are finding it hard, particularly securing last-minute bookings.

"Our bookings are down on last year and we've been affected by the very bad weather elsewhere in the country.

"We had people cancel at the weekend because their homes have been flooded. Going on holiday is now the last thing on their minds.

"We're just trying to be positive, providing our guests brollies on wet days and alternatives to going to the beach; like visiting museums or going on coach tours."

Debbie, who runs the Rosscourt Hotel in St John's Road, said: "We're all hoping the weather will improve now the school holidays are under way.

"I've given up looking at weather predictions for this area as they are normally wrong.

"But people who are planning to come here, at the last minute, will be put off travelling by bad forecasts."

Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association chairman, hotelier Alison Gandolfi agreed that the poor weather had affected last-minute bookings.

She said: "It's not all doom and gloom and we're all hoping the weather will pick up and the sun will shine during August."

Despite a soggy start to the summer season, South West Tourism says the area is now the UK's top domestic holiday destination.

While interest in foreign holidays is waning for the first time in decades, the South West is enjoying a surge in popularity according to marketing director Robin Barker.

He said: "While we are all looking forward to weather improvements, the reality is that this region now has a range of all-weather activities to suit all visitor needs.

"Attractions, gardens, pubs, restaurants and many of our outdoor activities are now genuinely year-round.

"There is a growing realisation among visitors of the quality and variety now available across the region and signs of renewed interest among those who habitually holiday abroad."