"Many Photos" - Cornish tourism bosses meet BBC presenters to complain that they stand in front of the county

Tourism bosses in Cornwall have complained to the BBC that presenters stand in front of the region during weather reports.

Officials say weather reporters, who typically stand to the left of the screen, often block the west of the county when giving forecasts, meaning Cornwall and the Scilly Isles are obscured.

They also say the region is included in 'throwaway lines' such as predicting rain for the south west when the county is dry - affecting tourism.

Visit Cornwall chief Malcolm Bell says he spoke with senior members of the Met Office and BBC Weather team, including breakfast presenter Carol Kirkwood.

Tourism bosses in Cornwall have complained to the BBC that presenters block the region during weather reports (pictured: Carol Kirkwood)

Visit Cornwall chief Malcolm Bell says he spoke with senior members of the Met Office and BBC Weather team

He travelled to London to meet weather presenters at the BBC Studios in London.

Mr Bell said: 'The meeting was a result of several years of moans, lobbying and public criticism.

'We complained about the throwaway lines and presenters standing in front of the Isles of Scilly and sometimes west Cornwall.

'It was a good meeting and they explained they don't know how long they have to speak until the moment they go on air.'

Mr Bell says he stressed Cornwall's unique climate in the meeting - and how a seemingly innocent mention of incoming rain can make a big difference.

'We have seen improvements,' said Mr Bell. 'There are still little grumbles, but good weather apps and online services have made a big difference.'

Mr Bell says he stressed Cornwall's unique climate in the meeting - and how a seemingly innocent mention of incoming rain can make a big difference

Officials say weather reporters, who typically stand to the left of the screen, often block the west of the county when giving forecasts

The Visit Cornwall chief said the issues he highlighted had the potential to cost his region several million pounds a year.

He added: 'It is a bit of a recurring issue. Weather predominately comes from the west and often when they are doing the weather they start with talking about that.

'They talk about it and move on before giving the correct forecast for the rest of the country.

'But even if it is wet elsewhere it is often very different in Cornwall and the weather has already blown through by the time they talk about it.

'By the way the weather system works it might be wet late morning across the UK but we could have a dry day in Cornwall.

'The normal weather generally comes from the west so we are disadvantaged when they are talking about the rest of the country when we are generally ok.

'It is especially important around times like Easter and this forecast affects people making short breaks. This equates to 25 per cent of our business so that is £400m a year.

'Even if we are talking at around 5 per cent being effected by what they see on the weather forecast we are still looking at about £20m.

'Careless weather words can cost money and I accept sometimes it won't be nice weather. We don't want them to lie but just be accurate and install a bit of caution when the weather looks volatile.'

He added that he would like presenters to think before standing in front of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, saying he would 'just like them to stand back a bit'.   

'The Isles of Scilly are small and precious and we need to keep awareness up about them,' he said. 

'Standing right in front of them doesn't help at all. They are Cornwall's islands so we feel we need to stand up for them.

'This is an ongoing debate with the Met Office. The biggest determining factor on whether we have a good or a bad year is the weather.

'They have said they will take our issues on board.

'This weekend was a classic as it was not as bad as first forecast and if even a small percentage are put off by this it makes a big difference.'

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News Photo Cornish tourism bosses meet BBC presenters to complain that they stand in front of the county
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