SEAFRONT traders are struggling to make ends meet as the poor weather takes its inevitable toll on their summer takings.

Despite the closure of so many Bournemouth hotels many are hard-pressed to fill rooms during what should be their peak period.

Beachside businesses in Boscombe are feeling the pinch most as the wind and rain continue to deter day-trippers from heading to the South Coast.

Met Office spokesman Dominic Woollatt said the county had already had 98 per cent of its average rainfall for August - 65mm.

But he added: "Many other places have had nearly double their rainfall, so Dorset hasn't been that bad really.

"The chances are more rain is on the way, but the average rainfall for Dorset in August is only 66mm."

But for Sharon Cross, 39, her first year's trading at The Sugar Shack has been "an absolute nightmare."

Her crazy golf pitch is deserted and on her worst days she pays as much for car-parking as she takes on food, drink and icecream sales.

"Nobody wants to sit on a cliff-top when it's lashing down," she said. "It's very depressing and even if the sun shines in September it's too late for us to claw back what we've lost."

The holiday flat behind, with a balcony and stunning sea views, displays a "vacancy" sign.

"Who is going to pay £500 a week to stay there when it's pouring with rain?" she asks despondently.

Boscombe seafront trader Kenny Crowe said: "It's like a ghost town here. Last year we had queues of people as soon as we opened. This year has been a wash-out."

There was no demand for ice creams yesterday morning at 19-year-old Craig McEwan's beachside pitch.

"I think we've had one busy day in August," he reflected.

"Last year every day was hectic."

Newsagent Patrick Hogg admitted: "It's a bit grim. July and August have been dismal. I've sold a few sticks of rock but I've a storeroom full of inflatable toys."

Bournemouth seafront shop manager Mike Reeves said: "We are much more dependent on day-trippers than we used to be so if the forecast is bad no-one comes to town."

Boscombe hotelier Debbie Utteridge said: "We're all hoping we will get a good September and October to help us tick over during the winter."

Bournemouth's seafront manager Chris Saunders said: "We are still putting out our deckchairs every day but nobody wants to sit on them when they're wet.

"If we get a good Bank Holiday and Indian summer it will make all the difference."

Bournemouth's head of tourism Mark Smith admitted that the season had been "mixed".

"The resort has to be seen as a whole and, while the beach itself isn't busy, places like the Oceanarium and Castlepoint shopping centre often are."