LITTLE Ellie Drew loves the wet weather.

But while the 21 month-old was busy having fun in a puddle near her home at Old Town, the rest of us were suffering another miserable and soggy day.

The terrible start to July has affected many tourist attractions, which have seen visitor numbers dwindle.

But other businesses are positively delighted with a forecast that predicts more rain to come.

Roger Brown, chief executive of Cotswold Water Park Society, said visitors to the park have been put off from fully enjoying the park.

He said: "It's certainly been down on numbers from last year. We have been really busy but people have not been using our bathing beach.

"This weather doesn't tend to be good for the summer because obviously people want to go out in the sun.

"Actually the water has been quite warm, but people don't want to go in unless it is sunny.

"The walks are going very well. Most of them have been well attended and people have not been deterred even though it is wet.

"We are known as the Costa del Cotswold and we have up to six lifeguards when we are busy but they are decidedly underemployed at the moment.

"We do have a visitor centre where people can take refuge and gaze at the lakes."

Other venues say they are benefiting from the dreary conditions.

Emma Valentine, of Swin-don's Steam Museum said: "It's generally said that ideal museum visiting weather is a fine morning followed by a wet afternoon."

There has also been a rise in people looking to escape the rain.

John McEwan, managing director of Lunn Poly, said trade in last minute bookings has gone up as people are losing hope in the weather improving.

"We have seen a significant increase in holiday bookings in Swindon over the past week.

"With the current conditions more like autumn than summer, people are heading to the travel agents to book their escape.

"The great prices on offer mean this is a real alternative to weathering the British climate."

Met office forecaster Sancha Tetlow said the rain is likely to continue over the next couple of days and is warning motorists to be careful when driving.

She said: "There is actually a flash warning for motorists for heavy rain for the next two to three days.

"In Swindon as well there could be standing water on the road which is likely to develop from mid-afternoon.

"It is a showery picture over the next few days.

"We are talking about bright starts in the morning develop-ing into showers later on in the day.

"This is likely to last until Saturday. Saturday is looking the best day at the moment, which will start off cloudy getting dryer and brighter as the day goes on.

"We have areas of low pressure coming across from the Atlantic bringing a period of unsettled weather.

"Temperatures are going to be normal between 18C and 20C but it will feel chillier in the rain.

"This is a typical summer for England and Wales the figures for the rainfall in June were actually below average."