BURNHAM-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council’s footfall counters have recorded a 9.6 per cent increase in the number of people visiting the town compared to last year.

Footfall counters recorded that from June 26 57,977 people visited Burnham High Street.

A spokesman for Burnham Chamber of Trade said: “We welcome this increase in footfall, which has been helped by our Project Coach initiative bringing in extra coach visitors to Burnham, and the recent publication of our shopping guide leaflet.

“50,000 copies are being distributed across Somerset to promote the town.

“The good weather has also helped to bring in extra people into Burnham town centre and the opening of B&M has probably helped numbers too. Shoppers are finding Burnham has a wide variety of independent shops and great places to eat.”

Cllr Phil Harvey said: “It’s great to see Burnham bucking the trend.”