Published: August 19, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea tourist centre celebrates its 100,000th visitor

Volunteers at Burnham-On-Sea's tourist information centre have this week celebrated their 100,000th visitor since taking over the premises.

Surprised couple Mary White and her fiance David Jamieson from Wells were greeted by cheers when they entered the building and unwittingly reach the milestone.

A short ceremony was held when the couple was presented with a bouquet of flowers, a Burnham paperweight and a bottle of bubbly.

Burnham's Mayor Ken Smout joined v olunteers from BIARS (Burnham Information and Rescue Support), who run the centre, at the event.

Mary told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We love Burnham and like to visit on the bus from Wells. We called in at the information centre to collect a bus timetable and were surprised and delighted to be named the 100,000th visitors!"

BIARS took over the facilities from Sedgemoor District Council in April 2011. Its team of more than 30 volunteers hand out tourist and community information while providing sea safety advice and merchandise from BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat) and Burnham's Coastguard Association.

New volunteers are welcome to join the centre's friendly team by calling in or contacting the group here.

A BIARS spokesman added: "Reaching the 100,000th visitor since BIARS took over the centre last year is a big milestone that demonstrates how busy our volunteers have been and how vital this centre is to the area's tourism economy."