WINTER may have arrived but Weymouth's tourism industry had reason to celebrate today after the town was revealed as an internet users' top destination.

Statistics from the VisitBritain websites show Weymouth was the number one location looked up by potential tourists browsing the web in June, July and August this year.

For three months running the town beat competition from every other destination, including top spots such as Bournemouth, North Yorkshire, Newquay, Devon and Cumbria.

Kate Wheller, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's tourism spokesman, said: "This is splendid news, especially for everybody involved in promoting Weymouth and Portland as a major visitor destination.

"It reinforces the resort's marketing and the quality of attractions and facilities now available throughout the borough."

The two main websites currently provided by VisitBritain are EnjoyEngland.com and the international tourism promoting VisitBritain.com.

Figures from the sites showed Weymouth received 20,654 hits over three months. North Yorkshire, the next most popular destination, received 17,235.

Coun Wheller said: "These excellent figures may also reflect the destination's increasing global image, emphasised by regular international events."

She said European fishing, sport and sailing championships were all helping promote the area in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics when the area will host all sailing events.

Newquay, Skegness, Southend-on-Sea, Bath, Cheddar Gorge and the Isle of Wight were also beaten by Weymouth in the poll.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said the Timewalk attraction in Brewer's Quay and Weymouth Sea Life Park both helped boost its number of internet visits.

Tourism and IT teams from the council have launched websites visitweymouth.co.uk as well as visitportland.co.uk - which detail information under various topics.