Sunny side up at sites
Tourism in Wyre Forest was given a big boost as thousands of families enjoyed a day out at the district's popular attractions during the sunny Bank Holiday weekend.
It was a welcome change of fortune for many sites still getting back on their feet after the recent floods and heavy rainfall caused a huge drop in visitor numbers.
Sunshine brought people out in record numbers at the West Midland Safari Park.
Thousands at the Bewdley attraction saw the animals, including rare white lion cubs, and enjoyed fairground rides.
Bosses put part of success down to rare white Bengal tiger cub Buster whose playful antics hit the headlines last week. The park has been on a roll since its season started at Easter.
Spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said: "It think it was a combination of the fine weather and all the publicity we had about Buster. It was a feel good weekend.
"Everyone was feeling good about the weather and they wanted to enjoy it and make the most of it."
Bewdley Museum also welcomed its highest visitor total since its season began in March with 1,000 people at the art and craft skills event yesterday.
Lacemaking, embroidery and Victorian printing were on display as well as demonstrations of rope and clay pipe making. Six hundred people visited the Load Street attraction on Sunday.
Museum development officer Ruth Finney said: "We had a fantastic weekend. "
High visitor numbers were also at Wyre Forest Visitors Centre, Callow Hill near Bewdley, as many enjoyed a walk through the woods.
The centre experienced a big drop in visitors due to the torrential downpours in June and July. Hundreds of visitors also flocked to a multi-period living history event at Harvington Hall, near Kidderminster, and a teddy bears picnic at County Museum in Hartlebury.
