Visitors flocked to west Oxfordshire over the Easter holidays as many people took advantage of the sunny weather and shunned holidays abroad.

Attractions such as Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford, were all busy, as were the district's four visitor information centres.

The Cotswold Wildlife Park had its busiest Good Friday since 1996, although poorer weather later in the holiday hit attendances.

Blenheim Palace spokesman Julian Blades said: "The number of visitors we had over the Easter holidays was very encouraging."

Graeme Widdows, who runs a bed and breakfast and caravan park with 125 pitches at Banbury Hill Farm on the edge of Charlbury, said the park was full over Easter, and fully booked this weekend.

He added: "West Oxfordshire District Council do a very good job of marketing the area."

A spokesman for the council, Anna Tottle, said: "Tourism is the largest income generator we have and it brings in well over £101 million a year and employs more than 3,000 people.

"Staff at all our centres said they were rushed off their feet and of course the good weather helped."