The number of overseas visitors to Britain reached 8.2 million in the three months to May, up by 8 percent compared with the previous three months and by 6 percent year on year, the latest official figures showed on Friday.

The total number of visits to Britain by overseas residents increased by 3 percent in the 12 months ending in May year on year to top 31.3 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The ONS attributed the rises a 3-percent rise in the number of visitors from Europe which reached 22.9 million.

Total spending by overseas visitors in Britain was up 6 percent compared with the previous three months to stand at 4.6 billion pounds (7.1 billion U.S. dollars) in March-May.

Meanwhile, the estimated number of visits abroad by British residents also rose by 4 percent to 14.1 million in the March-May period compared with the previous three months, but decreased by 2 percent year on year.

The ONS said that visits to Britain by overseas residents are expected to continue to increase in longer term trends, but visits abroad by British residents will be in longer term fall.