WITH just a month to go before the school holidays Burnham is gearing up for what experts are saying could be a bumper summer season.

Tourist attractions, holiday parks and accommodation providers are reporting strong early booking figures and tourism bosses are hoping to pull together to really put Burnham on the UK tourism map.

With recent initiatives such as Project Coach and tourism-boosting events such as this weekend’s World Paper Aeroplane Championships hailed as a massive success it is vital that the town continues working to give tourists a reason to visit Burnham, according to Burnham tourist information manager Ian Jefferies.

Speaking to theWeekly News he said: “All the attractions and accommodation providers are saying that early bookings are looking really positive.

“On the whole it follows national trends - people are spending holidays in this country so we have all got to work together to show what offerings we have in Somerset and in particular Burnham.”

“Its important that if we’re inviting people here that we offer things for them to do.

“There are towns working hard across the UK to put events on and attract tourists and we need to compete and really give them a reason to stay in Burnham. The events that have been put on in the town centre recently are a great way to get more people into Burnham. And if the sun comes out it will get even better so we’re just hoping for a great summer weather-wise.”

Town Centre Manager Bev Milner Simonds who has been tasked with attracting visitors to the Town Centre to boost trade, said:

“I think the national optimism is being reflected in people holidaying locally in the UK enjoying our great countryside and sea side.

“ Tourists will also soon be able to make use of an improved Pier Pavillion which is set to undergo a long-awaited revamp in September.