New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have shown an 8 per cent growth in the number of visitors to the UK for the three months between March and May 2011.

The seasonally-adjusted figures compare with the same period last year, with the late Easter and the Royal Wedding contributing towards this year's increase for the quarter.

It has also been confirmed that the number of visits to the UK have increased by 3 per cent to more than 30 million over the past year, with holiday and business trips up 5 per cent.

National tourism agency VisitBritain welcomed the increase in overseas visitors and said it underlined the UK's popularity at a crucial time for the inbound tourism sector.

VisitBritain director of strategy and communications Patricia Yates said: "Nearly 8 million international tourists have come to Britain in the three months, which saw spending levels in the country rise by 7 per cent.

"As we start to roll out our marketing programme, we can see that Britain is recovering its international appeal."

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