Number of visitors to forest rise 5% in year

INCREASING numbers of visitors to the National Forest generated £619 million for the area's economy last year, a report has found.

- By STAFF REPORTER

The National Forest Company said a total of 8.7 million people visited - up 5.2 per cent on the year before.

The amount they spent, adjusted for inflation, was up by 2.4 per cent.

Tourism-related employment reached a record high of 5,473 jobs, surpassing pre-2019 levels.

In an end-of-year report, the company said: "Together, these results show a visitor economy that is not only recovering but becoming more resilient, with growth that aligns with our long-term, responsible approach.