An Abingdon pub has become the town's unofficial tourist information centre.

Since the Tourist Information Centre in Bridge Street closed on May 21 visitors to the town have been calling in at the Broad Face pub opposite seeking information about what's going on in the town and places to visit.

Landlady Mellie Ferrier said: "On the first day after the TIC closed we dealt with 25 tourist and accommodation inquiries. People are coming in to our pub asking for help, taking time away from pub customers.

"I try to encourage visitors to stay for a while in the pub, but as most of them have been stressed trying to find somewhere, this has so far not been to my favour as a business."

Ms Ferrier has written to the the Vale of White Horse District Council to ensure that the council's accommodation guide website is working.

She said she tried to download the council's guide so she could print it off and give it to tourists but there was an error on the website.

Ms Ferrier said she thought the decision to close the TIC was atrocious and short-sighted only a week before the Bank Holiday.

She added: "I've been bowled over by the number of people coming into the pub asking about tourist information.

"Some have said to me that there can't be much to see or do in Abingdon if the town doesn't have a tourist information centre.

" I'm keeping a log of how many tourist queries I get each day and I will be in touch with the new bed and breakfast hotline service to see if the number of bookings declines following the closure of the TIC."

The council's head of innovation and enterprise, Toby Warren, said: "There was a fault on the website but that has been corrected so people can find out about accommodation.

"The new B&B hotline number is being distributed and we will help any outlet providing information to visitors."

The council has paid for a mobile phone for the new Abingdon Accommodation Availability Hotline, known as AAAH, set up by B&B business owners Terry Boswell and Helen Authers.

The number is listed in the window of the closed TIC as well as the council's website and other places in the town.

Abingdon Town Council is to run a Visitor Information Point in its offices at Old Abbey House but this will not be ready until later this month.

The B&B Hotline number is 07706 670657.