Visitor numbers to Maldon and Burnham have been up this summer.

International coverage of the district through specialist magazines and links in with the district council's website have all helped attract the tourists believes tourism development officer, Russell Dawes.

"We're quite encouraged at how the season has gone," said Mr Dawes.

"A lot of people have been into the Tourist Information Centre asking about the district, enquiring about walking and cycling which are exactly the kind of things we are trying to promote.

"Maldon has been featured in some of the national magazines and Anglia TV have been filming a holiday show here. So we are getting some excellent publicity which seems to be bringing in the people."

Mr Dawes added that the district's attractions such as Mangapps Railway Museum at Burnham have also seen an increase in visitors - particularly for special events.

Figures from Maldon Tourist Information Centre show they dealt with around 1,784 enquiries last month. Figures for June and July were also up on last year.

At Burnham Tourist Information Centre around 1,100 visitor numbers were recorded in August and the river bailiff has reported an increase in the number of people arriving at Maldon by boat and using the facilities at the Hythe Quay.

Mr Dawes said: "We are getting people coming for short stays and coming often which is great as the whole idea we want to spread is that Maldon district is an all year round destination.

"We don't want to be complacent and we are encouraging more visitors to come. If they come for a day trip we hope they will spend a long weekend in winter time."

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