Chamber praise Pavilion as tourists flood in

Sue Spice, spokesperson for the chamber, judged that nearly all town centre bed and breakfasts and hotels were full last weekend.

She said the chamber, which, as part of its role acts as an information point for visitors, had taken many calls in the run up to Saturday night from those struggling to find available accomodation before seeing UNKLE and the Heritage Orchestra play at the De La Warr Pavilion.

"It's great for the town," she said. "Not only do they stay here, they have to eat somewhere too, and I expect they visit our shops.

"I think most of it was to do with the De La Warr.

"They have taken a lot of flak this year, but I've thanked them for drawing visitors in last weekend."

Her view, that tourism locally was "going well after a disastrous winter," was backed up by Brian Storkey, chair of Bexhill Tourism Association (BEXTA).

"Of course we've also had gorgeous weather," said Brian, whose Marina bed and breakfast, The Dunselma, was packed on Saturday night.

"Why would you want to go abroad when you can come here?"

A spokesman for the De La Warr Pavilion said 901 tickets had sold at 18 for the show, taking the building almost to capacity.