The number of yachts visiting the South Hams town of Salcombe, near Kingsbridge, is down by nearly a third, a report warns.

According to the study, the number of visiting yachts in 2007 was down by a massive 28 per cent on the previous 12 months.

The fall in numbers at Salcombe, one of the UK's most exclusive sailing resorts, is being blamed partly on the poor summer.

But harbourmaster Ian Gibson said the latest figures were "alarming".

Julian Brazil, Salcombe Harbour Board: "Over the years the fees to visiting yachtsmen have gone up and the facilities we provide have gone down."

The harbour board admitted that there is a lack of facilities for yachtsmen, but said it would turn things around.

Julian Brazil, chairman of the Salcombe Harbour Board, told BBC Devon: "Over the years the fees to visiting yachtsmen have gone up and the facilities we provide have gone down.

"As a result yachtsmen have decided not to come."

"We have realised that we cannot be the most expensive for visiting yachts and provide the least facilities.

"We have got a poor reputation and it is our job to turn that round."

The harbour board said it was freezing charges for 2008/09, and was also looking into improving facilities.