THE Good Old Days of Music Hall has been helping to boost 21st- century tourism in the New Forest.

The Olde Tyme Players, made up of a professional cast of eight, have so far this year attracted 8,500 visitors to the area through their weekly performances at Bashley and Burley village halls.

Despite this year's terrible summer weather, coach parties twice a week from the Midlands and Home Counties have regularly filled the venues with tourists, each of them booking a pre-theatre lunch in local restaurants.

They also, of course, spend money in local shops.

Sandy Sinclair, director of The Olde Tyme Players, reckons that his theatre company will have boosted the local tourism trade by around £455,000 this year alone.

"Each member of our audience pays £9 for the performance, around another £10 for a lunch, and at least £15 on local gifts," he said.

"Each week we perform to around 250 people, so that's £8,500 going into the local economy, or £442,000 a year."

He admits that the nostalgic style of his shows tends to appeal to an older audience but stresses: "Not all our audience is elderly by any means.

"We also perform a show based on the 1940s, and every time we attract a new coach company, they ring back and book future dates.

"The attraction of the show, plus the beauty of the New Forest, is a unique combination.

"We're so busy we are looking to play a third venue in the Forest every week next year."

For further details of the Olde Tyme Players and their programme of entertainment, telephone Sandy or Juliette on 01425 612830.