TOURISM businesses across the region have reported an increase in visitors between April and June this year.

The survey, conducted by regional development agency One NorthEast, has revealed an increase in trade for nearly half of tourism businesses compared to the same period last year.

This was also an increase on the first quarter, when 41 per cent of businesses reported an increase.

There was also growing optimism, with 83 per cent of companies expecting business to be good over the peak summer period, including this weekend's Bank Holiday.

The optimism was predicted in a previous survey by One NorthEast following buoyant trade in the first quarter of the year, when many businesses forecast trade to continue to improve in the run up to the summer.

John Holmes, of One NorthEast, said: "The optimism in the tourism industry is good news for the region and its tourism industry.