A WEDDING venue has been crowned among the best in the UK as part of a national awards ceremony.

East Mersea Hall, on Mersea Island, was named among the Hitched.co.uk winners in the wedding venue category.

The awards are based on reviews by loved-up newly-weds who have tied the knot at the venue within the past year.

Bosses at the venue in Church Lane, East Mersea said they are "thrilled" by the news.

"A huge thank you to our beautiful couples," they added.