RESIDENTS have been snapping their favourite sights and attractions in Colchester in a giant game of I Spy.

Visit Colchester recently launched the tourism campaign to recognise and celebrate places in the borough.

Keen photographers have shared pictures of objects, landscapes, tourist attractions and historical features, which have been reposted on Visit Colchester’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Through social media, the department is also bringing attention to the town’s treasures and highlighting some lesser know facts about Colchester and its quirky characters.

Tim Young, deputy leader of Colchester Council and councillor responsible for culture and regeneration, said: “This campaign is a really fun way for residents, visitors and businesses to get involved in sharing what they love about Colchester on social media, telling the rest of the world what a great place it is and encouraging them to experience it for themselves.

“I understand this game better than Pokemon Go. Whenever the mayor Julie Young and I are out and about, we’ll certainly be using this hashtag and I can’t wait to see what others will share too.”

The campaign is part of a year-long programme launched by Colchester Council to promote the town as a top tourist destination.

Get involved using the hashtag #ispycolchester. To see more photos, search ‘visitcolchester’ on social media.

  •  A FAILED smartphone tourism app which was created to entice more people to Colchester is to be re-launched.

The app, which was bankrolled to the tune of £100,000 by Colchester Council after it secured grant funding from other sources, was initially launched in May 2014.

But despite being launched alongside the newly refurbished Colchester Castle, its title did not contain ‘Colchester’ - instead being called Castle App.

Following feedback, Colchester Council has admitted “it was clear that users were having difficulty finding the app”.

A spokesman added: “The downloadable app has now been re-named the Ancient Colchester App with more focus on the heritage trail.”

The app can now be downloaded from the App Store and from the Google Play Store but the official launch will not take place until later this month.