'Gavin & Stacey' boosts Barry economy

BBC Three comedy Gavin & Stacey has boosted Barry's tourism trade by 25%, say reports.

Glamorgan Council tourism and marketing officer Claire Evans believes the series has put the Welsh town "on the map".

"Considering it's a BBC Three production, the profiling has been amazing," she said. "The cast of Gavin & Stacey are doing for Barry what Doctor Who and Torchwood have done for Cardiff.

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

Evans added: "A wedding party from Essex recently stayed at New Farm B&B, Barry, and told proprietor Sara Hardy that they had to visit Barry Island to be able to tell all their friends and fans of the show back in Essex that they had been there."