A NATIONAL Trust property near Romsey has reported record visitor numbers after the success of this year's Easter egg hunt.

Mottisfont hosted a Cadbury egg trail throughout its grounds bringing in droves of visitors throughout the Easter break despite the wet weather on Easter Sunday.

Mottisfont's visitor operations manager, Helen Potts, said: “We have never experienced an Easter like this. Last year the weather was terrible and we received just 8,000 visitors throughout the entire Easter holidays.

"This year we've welcomed just under 25,000, so whilst our wonderful staff and volunteer teams are all a bit pooped, we're also incredibly pleased.”

Hinton Ampner, The Vyne and Winchester City Mill also all reported a rise in visitors.

Hinton's visitor experience officer said: “We broke our Easter egg trail record on Friday, and it was also our busiest ever day in the tea room, so we're really thrilled with the results.

“Kids loved the trail and the story we had created behind it, which really helped to fire up their imaginations. They were all given paper pith helmets to make them feel like real explorers before they set off around the gardens; then they rounded off the day with egg and spoon races and face painting. It was great fun.”