CAMPAIGNS to attract tourist to Dorchester include bus advertising in Weymouth to tempt visitors away from the resort – if only for a short time.

Town councillors heard that the two part-time staff who are tasked with developing the county town's visitor numbers continue to clock up successes.

Tourism Development Officer Matilda Manley says a variety of tactics are tried with team having helped developed the Discover Dorchester app' and frequently updating an associated website.

She said successful campaigns have included what is now the annual walking festival and campaigns to market the town as a base for exploring the wider Dorset area, or a place for short breaks for couples outside of the school holidays.

The meeting heard that the aim of the campaigns is to market Dorchester as a "progressive and welcoming town" with residents asked to play their part by encouraging family and friends to come and stay.

Ms Manley said research suggested that more than 40per cent of visitors come to the town because they have family or friends here.

She suggested it might be an idea for them to take visitors into town, while they were here, rather than always head to the beach at Weymouth.

"When we started out people would say 'nothing ever happens here' but when you look at all of what happens in the town you realise what a busy place we are," said the tourism officer.

Events planned for the town in the near future include a Roman Festival in Maumbury Rings on April 12th and 13th, associated with a Gladiators exhibition in the County Museum; an egg rolling event at Poundbury Great Field on April 21st; Beacon Lighting in Salisbury Field on May 8th to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the walking festival from May 10th to 18th.

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger told the meeting she was delighted by the successes of the team, often working with other partners: "It's a vision fulfilled…it's refreshing to see it come to life as we wanted and needed it," she said.