BROADLANDS' concerts have put Romsey on the map, says the town's business leader, as traders cash in on a bumper summer.

Despite being dogged by roadworks and street closures, the market town has enjoyed booming trade as tens of thousands of people flocked to see everything from Busted to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Leo Sayer to Status Quo.

The nine major events were topped by the appearance of Westlife, who drew a 20,000-strong crowd at the beginning of August.

Some traders have grumbled at traffic clogging up the town's main approaches, but most say the tills have been ringing since the concert season opened at Lord Romsey's estate.

Philip Liddell, Romsey Chamber of Commerce president, said: "Broadlands has put Romsey on the map this year. These have been good quality events, and it's brought a lot of people into the town who may well return.

"It's also helped the estate make much-needed money and to survive they need to diversify.

"Some traders have complained about the backlog of traffic but any business is good business."

Anne Marsh, who works for Samtax taxi company, said drivers had noticed a surge in trade on concert days.

"Huge numbers of people come into Romsey and we get lots of requests to pick people up from the town centre and take them out to Broadlands, and also people asking us where to eat and drink," she said.

Broadlands spokesman Euan Russell was staying tight-lipped about the estate's windfall from the concert series, which finished on Sunday with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

"It certainly raises the profile of the town," he said. "Generally, we think the concert programme is an enhancement to what Romsey has to offer. People do come in early to spend some money in the town, perhaps have dinner, before coming over for the event."