A POPULAR tourist spot is making the tourism industry more than £60million.

Dedham Vale near Colchester, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is nationally recognised as one of England's finest landscapes.

The latest tourism figures, collated by Destination Research, show a significant increase in the value of day and overnight visitors.

The total value of tourism in Dedham Vale is up 13.3 per cent since 2015, and now stands at more than £62million.

Jobs in the tourism sector in Dedham are now up by more than 13 per cent since 2015.

Colchester Councillor Nigel Chapman (Cons) chair of the Dedham Vale AONB joint advisory committee, said: "We are delighted to see both local visitors and those from further afield enjoy the high quality landscapes of the AONBs.

"The AONBs support a range of initiatives to boost local sustainable visitor businesses, including making footpath enhancements and offer information about what wildlife to see and where to visit to enjoy the best views.

"Visitors to Constable Country have been treated to new footpath signs to help guide them from Manningtree Station to Flatford and Dedham.”

Success has also been recognised at the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB.

Both sites have done much over the years to support and encourage visitors.

As well as the value of visitors to the local economy the reports highlight the importance of the tourism industry in terms of local jobs.

The tourism industry provides more than 6,000 full time jobs across both AONBs, up by 500 jobs since 2015.

AONB Manager, Simon Amstutz, said: "These figures really demonstrate the worth of our nationally protected landscapes and we will carry on working with local businesses to ensure that they continue to play an important part in our economy and our landscape conservation and enhancement for the future”.

Dedham Vale is popular for its boating along the river, quaint shops and the picturesque landscapes painted by John Constable.

To find out more visit www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org