AN advert focused on drawing tourists to Colchester is set to be launched across Sky TV.

Councillors previously defending spending £40,000 on the 30 second ad, asserting they are confident it will reach hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Visit Colchester, the council’s tourism arm, has announced the advert will be aired throughout the peak summer holiday period.

It will air across all major Sky TV channels, including Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and Sky Atlantic.

The advert will be broadcast using the Sky Ad Smart system, which will display it to key destinations within an easy travel distance of Colchester.

A 60 second version will be published on social media, with a potential reach of 500,000 people.

The ad seeks to showcase Colchester’s impressive heritage, alongside more contemporary attractions.

Highlights will include the town’s 900-year-old Norman Castle, the oldest and longest Roman wall in Britain and the first Augustinian priory established in the country.

Other locations set to be featured include the Minories art gallery, Firstsite, Mersea and Castle Park.

Tim Young, deputy leader of Colchester Council and councillor responsible for culture, said: “Colchester is a melting pot of culture, archaeology and attractions.

“Our borough offers something for everyone and this advert will help further cement our place as a key tourist destination in the East of England.

“Through raising the profile of the borough this advert will also help continue to boost the local economy by encouraging people to come and discover everything Colchester has to offer.

“When they arrive they will find there is so much more to Colchester.”

He added: “Colchester Zoo has been voted one of the best in Europe and Layer Marney Tower was built during the reign of Henry VIII.

“They can also treat themselves to a cream tea with jam made by Wilkin and Son at their Tiptree home, or sample the town’s famous oysters during a trip to Mersea Island.”

View the advert below: