OKEHAMPTON was basking in soaring temperatures last week, which have brought a boost to many local businesses.

Tourist attractions in the area say bumper temperatures far from guarantee bumper attendances ? Okehampton?s location in the heart of Devon means when the sun comes out holiday-makers tend to make a beeline for the coast. Butmany businesses and attractions have still felt a warm glow of summertime satisfaction this week.

Castle Drogo, at Drewsteignton, has reported a good week, although visitor numbers were slightly down on the same time last year. Overall, Drogo was still on course to match last year?s record number of visitors.

Mark Agnew, property manager at Castle Drogo, said: ?When the sun comes out everyone goes to the beach, but the week when we had lots of rain, we were incredibly busy. We have had 72,000 visitors here so far this year, so we are very pleased.?

Mark said some visitors had been soaking up the sun while enjoying picnics, while others were simply trying to escape the sweltering heat.

?We always seem to get a bit of a breeze and the trees provide shade. People can go in and out of the house itself, which is also cool because it is granite,? he said.

?All the water we use comes from a spring, but this year we have run out of water for the first time in many years, which gives you an idea of how dry it has been.?

Julie Rowe, at Okehampton Castle said visitor numbers were similar to last year?s levels, save for one outstanding day.

?We had a bumper day on Sunday, and it was absolutely boiling,? said Julie.

However, she said normally the Castle saw most visitors on ?muggy days? in the summer as, when the sun was shining, the beach was the first destination.

?When it is hotter people go to the beach, but when it is not so hot, people tend to come and visit the castle,? she said.

Julie said English Heritage was hoping for another good weekend at Okehampton Castle as a historical re-enactment group would be bringing the world of medieval wind and water power to life throughout the weekend, which could provide a way to keep cool if temperatures shoot up once more.

Lydford Gorge has seen high visitor numbers flocking to the leafy shade and cool water attraction.

Neil Bellamy, assistant manager at Okehampton Swimming Pool in Simmons Park, said plenty of people had been taking a dip to cool off during the heatwave.

?We have been very busy this last fortnight,? he said. ?In the afternoon general public swimming sessions we have had a lot of holiday makers.?

Waitrose supermarket in Okehampton reported predictable changes in shoppers? habits during the last week, with more barbecues, salads and cool drinks passing through the checkout during the heatwave.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: ?Our shoppers want their barbecues and picnics for the beach. Like other supermarkets, if the weather is fine, we stock up on steaks and salad.?

Rene Chambers of Hall Manor at Kelly, near Lifton, said sales of their bottled spring water had leapt during the hot weather.

The heatwave has been a boost to the business, started 18 months ago when the farm diversified following the foot and mouth epidemic.

Mrs Chambers said: ?I normally deliver to Plymouth every fortnight. People who had a delivery last week have already rung to say they?ve sold out.?

West Devon?s environmental health manager Dave Banks said the council had received plenty of calls about temperatures in working environments.

There is a minimum temperature in which employees are not

allowed to work, but no maximum. Comfort requirements exist, so employers have to make efforts to make working conditions as bearable as possible.

Water levels at Roadford, Meldon and Burrator stand at 75%, 83% and 98% respectively. South West Water spokesman Stephen Swain said: ?Considering the weather, it?s very good.?

Maurie Webber, curator of the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, said visitor numbers were down since the hot spell, which was to be expected.

But she said her team of volunteers at the museum were being kept busy ?working flat out? logging all the artefacts ahead of the major expansion of the museum due to start this autumn.

Maurie said there were still places on a children?s fun day at the museum taking place next Thursday, August 21.

As part of the day, Okehampton youngsters will make their own medal and meet a soldier after walking to Okehampton Castle in the morning.