A new tourism guide for Southend was launched in a blaze of glory - but there's no mention of the landmark Bandstand which was blighted by recent landslides.

All references to the historic Bandstand - one of the jewels in Southend's crown - were removed from the guide before it went to print.

Launched - the guide which aims to increase tourism held by deputy mayor David Ascroft, with Paula Evans and Lynn Marriot Picture: MIKE MINERS

Instead, the unveiling of the 2003 Southend Tourism Guide focused on the fact the number of visitors to Southend has doubled in five years.

The figures come from a study into the impact of tourism in the seaside town.

Tony North, cabinet member for leisure, revealed visitors had risen from 2.7million in 1995 to 5.4million in 2000.

He added: "An increase of 100 per cent in five years shows that tourism is an important industry for Southend."

Published Thursday, December 12, 2002

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