Gavin and Stacey fans flock to town

3:46pm Friday 16th May 2008

Fans of hit TV show Gavin and Stacey are so keen to see "what's occurring" where the show is filmed they have boosted trade in the town by 25%.

And the verdict on Barry, the south Wales seaside town which is home for actress Joanna Page's character Stacey, is that it's a "tidy" place for a holiday.

One local councillor is even keen for a themed tour of landmarks featured in the romantic sitcom to be set up for visitors.

Claire Evans, tourism and marketing officer at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "Well, I won't lie to you, Gavin and Stacey has had a huge effect on Barry, helping to put it on the map.

"Considering it's a BBC3 production the profiling has been amazing. The cast of Gavin and Stacey are doing for Barry what Dr Who and Torchwood have done for Cardiff.

"The series is really positive and viewers have commented to the tourism team on how clean, lovely and inviting that Barry and Barry Island both look.

"We've even had callers quoting Nessa's famous line - 'what's occurring'."

She added that a number of the visitors seemed to be coming from east London and beyond, like Essex boy Gavin who is played by actor Matthew Horne.

Councillor Rob Curtis, a big fan of the show, told the Western Mail newspaper: "It really is good news for the town.

"I'll be raising the possibility of setting up a Gavin and Stacey town trail when the council's scrutiny committees get under way after the annual meeting next week."

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