EASTER Bank Holiday brought with it a boost for traders in Evesham as they marked the first public holiday since the town's Abbey Bridge re-opened.

Businesses around the town said the weekend was a busy one and they were pleased to see more people heading back into Evesham.

Many places held events to celebrate the Easter holiday, which contributed to their success.

The newly re-opened Railway Hotel, in Evesham High Street, hosted sell out events over the weekend.

Paul Watson, who has taken over as the landlord of the pub, said: "We had a fantastic weekend. We sold out of tickets to the Bon Jovi Experience on Sunday night and almost sold out on Saturday night as well.

"It was brilliant, everybody seemed to have a great time."

Run Stuff in the high street were open for some of the weekend, and said the town seemed busier than usual.

The Evesham Hotel welcomed new and familiar faces across a busy Easter weekend.

Sue Jenkinson, owner of the hotel in Coopers Lane, said: "We had a brilliant weekend, it was superb, despite the weather. We have a whole lot of family parties that meet here.

"There is one group that come every year and they go on the barges first before staying here for the holiday weekend."

Nearby in Port Street Steve Molyneux, who runs the Angel Vaults pub, said the weekend had been good.

"It went very well," he added. "We had a charity evening on Sunday for the British Heart Foundation in memory of one of our customers John Terry who died aged 53.

"I think we were nearly as busy as Christmas. We can definitely see a pick up since the bridge opened."

At Hampton Ferry a range of events took place across the weekend including a quiz night in aid of Cancer Research, a snail race and a family day.

Diana Raphael, proprietor, said they were looking forward to the summer after a good weekend.

"We worked hard to put things on so we knew people would come and yes it was very good," she said.

"I have come to the conclusion that if there is something on in the town people will come and if there is a festival on the shops will open as well.

"The bridge being open has made a big difference. We have high hopes for the summer."