Shepton Mallet has so far avoided the Airbnb explosion sweeping other parts of the West Country — with just over 1% of homes in the town being used as holiday lets, new data reveals.

Figures show there are currently 32 entire homes and 9 private rooms listed on short-term letting platforms in Shepton.

That's 41 properties out of the town's 4,600 households — a far cry from places like Glastonbury, where nearly 7% of all housing is now tied up in short-term lets.

Despite the low numbers, the income is still significant. The average daily rate sits at £155, with hosts earning up to £2,443 a month in peak season. Occupancy hits 52% in July, though it dips to 34% in March.

On average, hosts are pulling in around £1,892 a month.

While some landlords are tempted by the summer payday, most properties in Shepton are still being rented out long-term — or lived in full-time.

Airbnb claims just 0.17% of homes in the UK are let out regularly through short-term platforms, and that most are used "a few days a month".

Amanda Cupples, Airbnb's northern Europe boss, said: "Only a tiny fraction of British homes are listed on Airbnb — typically for just a few days a month — but this activity is generating billions for the UK economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs."

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But in places like Shepton critics warn even small changes have a big impact.

One support worker said: "Take 30 homes out of a small town, and that's 30 families who now have nowhere to go."