West Bay harbour could see less boat than in previous years when the season starts in a few weeks' time.

At Lyme Regis and West Bay, more than 20 boat owners have given up their harbour spaces, with few from the waiting lists willing to take their places, the main reason thought to be increasing economic pressures.

Only at Weymouth do the figures appear to be holding up, although new harbourmaster Ed Carter says it is too early to say what the long-term effect of economic downturn might be.

He told a Dorset Council's Harbours Advisory Committee last week that the cost of living pressures could yet result in more people enjoying holidays in the UK.

Mr Carter said that in recent years, mainly because of Covid, harbours across the country had been in state of uncertainty with a loss of business during the initial lockdowns, followed by a boom period.

"With things still in a state of flux it is very hard to see where we are going at the moment," he told the committee – adding that with 96% of berths occupied in Weymouth, the figure was one of the best in a decade.

At West Bay, where 12 have left their moorings, occupancy now stands at 90%, while in Lyme Regis, where 10 have left their places, the figure stands at 91%.

Commercial spaces have done better, with 88% still occupied at West Bay and 97% at Lyme Regis.

Harbourmaster for both of the West Dorset harbours, James Radcliffe, said the vacancies had been offered to those on waiting lists but both harbours were now in the position where they would have to advertise the spaces more widely.

Weymouth councillor Louie O'Leary called for a report on commercial activities in the town's harbour, after concerns were raised about one of the regular dive boats moving elsewhere.

He said that while there was obvious interest in the level of leisure boat use in the harbour, he hoped its use as a working harbour would continue to be supported and encouraged.

"We talk about visiting vessels but we do run a working harbour and we need to maintain that," he said.

All three harbours are currently reporting a full series of events for the coming season, which traditionally starts at Easter, with some additions to the calendar, including the OK Class World Sailing Championship in Lyme Regis over the last full week of June, and Weymouth hosting a big rowing regatta at the end of May and the national Squibb Class sailing event a month later.

Over the Easter weekend, the Royal Yachting Association national youth championships will be taking place in Weymouth bay with the racing fleet based at Portland.a