Forecasters are being asked to put a seaside resort on their weather maps to boost a town's tourism.

Councillors have asked The Met Office and television companies to feature Worthing on weather maps so people choose to visit the town, instead of other places regularly included in the bulletins.

They believe potential visitors also decide to go elsewhere if they see the weather is bad in Brighton or Portsmouth because they wrongly assume bad weather in Worthing, which is located between the two cities.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Bob Smytherman has been told by tourist officials in Worthing the town would benefit if it was mentioned because more people would come and spend their money.

He said: "Worthing is one of the biggest towns in West Sussex and it's an absolute nonsense it's not included on the weather maps.

"It's having a detrimental effect on the tourist trade, particularly at this time of year when the weather's more hit or miss. I'm sure when people living in London and surrounding areas look at the forecast in the mornings to decide where to visit on the south coast many are put off if the weather is bad in Brighton and Portsmouth.

"They won't even give Worthing a second thought.

"The weather might be good in Worthing but instead they'll decide to go to Clacton or Great Yarmouth."

Coun James Doyle, who is shadow spokesman for local economy and tourism, supports Coun Smytherman.

He said more and more people make spontaneous decisions about where they might go for day trips or a couple of days.

He said: "It would remind people that Worthing is here and make it a destination of choice."

The idea was suggested to Councillor Paul High at his cabinet member meeting for culture, leisure and sport on Monday. He said he supported the idea.

He told The Argus he would write to the BBC and ITV urging them to consider including Worthing because it would "benefit the town greatly".

He said: "If we could get Worthing on the news bulletins it would bring the name of the town to the forefront of people's minds."

BBC South East included Worthing on its weather map on Tuesday night, a day after Coun Smytherman wrote to them.

A Met Office spokesman said it played no part in how the weather was presented on television and it was up to each television company to decide which towns to include.

But he said the issue of how places are included on the Met Office web site would be reviewed later next year.

BBC South Today editor Lee Desty said: "We know people like to see their local towns and cities reflected on BBC South Today's popular 3D weather map, so we do try to rotate the places we use.

"We'll certainly try to make sure the outlook is sunnier for Worthing in future.

"If they can't wait till the news, viewers can always log on to the BBC South Today web site to see what the weather has in store across the region."

Thursday, November 10, 2005