BANK Holiday sun attracted some of the highest numbers of visitors Malvern has seen.

The tourist information centre in Church Street reported a 78 per cent increase in visitor figures over the same weekend last year, with 1,581 inquiries compared to 888 in 2008 Saturday at the centre was the sixth busiest day on the records, which go back to 1980.

It was a similar story in Upton, where the TIC reported 496 visitors, up from 326 last year.

Robin Elt of Great Malvern Association of Trade said: "It was the best bank holiday weekend we've had in a long time. I think more people are spending their holidays at home because of the price of the pound against the euro. The good weather helped as well, and the town was vibrant."

Chris Marks of Iapetus Gallery said: "We did very well over the weekend, and in the week following, so tourists are staying. People are coming to areas of outstanding natural beauty like Malvern instead of spending the weekend in cities such as Barcelona."

The hot weather also tempted people to bring out their barbecues. Paul Lopeman, owner of Barnards Green Butchers, reported the best week, other than Christmases and Easters, in the four years he'd run the business.

"It was fantastic really, Burgers, kebabs, chicken; they were all going well and it was a really busy weekend," he said.

Malvern has also got a boost from the latest Lonely Planet guidebook, Great Britain, published this week.

The book says Malvern "positively glows with heath and well-being courtesy of its lush hill views, wide tree-lined avenues, booted hikers and pure spring waters."

Mal Salisbury, Malvern Hills District Council's economic development officer, said: "We have been working hard to boost the visitor economy and judging by these figures, the hard work of the TIC staff, local businesses and our partners is really paying off."