TOURISM bosses in Weymouth are crossing their fingers that the recent warm weather means summer is here to stay.

People flocked to the beach yesterday to make the most of the May sunshine as temperatures reached 20 degrees Celsius.

Weather forecasters said the heatwave looked set to continue with the mercury expected to hit 24C this weekend.

Town tourism officials are hoping for more of the same after a miserable summer last year and a wet Bank Holiday Monday.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council leisure and tourism spokesman Steve Davies said he was delighted' to see the sunshine.

He said: "It's brilliant for the people who work so hard on the beach, by the harbour and on the esplanade.

"The feeling of the sun on our faces gives everyone throughout the town that feelgood factor.

"That translates to more people visiting Weymouth and staying for longer to enjoy the facilities we have to offer.

"It makes such a great difference, the town really does come alive."

Mr Davies admitted last summer was very challenging' but said the Bank Holiday was a success despite the weather.

"It was pretty damp but luckily we had the kite festival on and that gave us an advantage," he said.

"It wasn't ideal but the kite flyers and the public responded well. People put their coats on and came out, it was a great example of their spirit.

"But obviously we're much happier now the sunshine is back. Last year was very challenging but we're optimistic for this summer."

Weymouth Beach Group member Darren Deadman said people have been heading to the town's sands in droves.

He said: "Obviously we're extremely weather-related down here. We're ready to go now, we just need the weather.

"If we get a good few days we should have a great weekend. We need that build-up where people are sitting in offices all week looking at the sunshine.

"The forecast is fantastic. Hopefully they've got it spot-on and we can start the summer season off in style."

Weymouth Tourist Information Centre manager Adrian Parry added: "Now the weather has picked up we're hoping it will continue and the town will get busier and busier.

"With good forecasts we get lots of advance enquiries for accommodation and we're expecting plenty of those over the next few days.

"Hopefully the forecasters are right because Weymouth, like all resorts, is semi-reliant on the weather."