Cash-strapped tourist attractions across Essex have been celebrating the return of the day tripper.

Easter was a make-or-break weekend for many businesses, and the dull weather threatened to put the damper on days out.

But bright sunshine on Good Friday brought out the visitors and Colchester Zoo enjoyed bumper numbers.

The zoo, in Maldon Road, was shut for five-and-a-half weeks as a precaution against animals contracting foot-and-mouth disease, but the decision cost it £300,000.

Curator Anthony Tropeano said: "We had a very good Good Friday, one of the best actually."

He said visitor numbers on Saturday and Sunday were below par because of the dull weather.

Mr Tropeano said: "We have gone through absolutely gallons and gallons of disinfectant. We are really not taking any chances at all."

Nick Charrington, at Layer Marney Tower, said: "The car park is looking quite full. I'm feeling much more bullish now."

High Woods Country Park, in Colchester, has also experienced lower visitor figures than usual but there were high hopes for sunshine in time for today's (Monday's) Easter egg hunt.

Countryside ranger Gary Middleweek said: "The weather has not helped. We are a bit lower than normal for this time of year."

Barry McGregor, group manager for New Walton Pier, said: "We have had a really, really good weekend even though the weather has not been particularly good. We can't complain.

"With the foot-and-mouth, perhaps more people have been going to the seaside, instead of the countryside."

A spokesman for Clacton Pier said the weekend had been quieter than last Easter but still very busy.

And Clacton Common Factory Shopping Village marketing manager Jan Davies said: "It is busier than this time last year. We have done very well."

Visitors flocked to Hedingham Castle to witness a day of festivities including a play, hog roast and archery range.

Dog walkers took full advantage of the popular Promenade Park in Maldon, but the wet conditions put paid to a high number of tourists.

John Jolly, owner of Mangapps Railway Museum in Burnham, said: "We didn't have a particularly good weekend but I think that was more to do with the weather than anything else."

Dick Hymas, general manager of Colne Valley Railway in Sible Hedingham, said: "Easter is looking quite encouraging. In fact, it is looking like it will be the best year we have had."

Cressing Temple has also done well. Spokesperson Barbara Temple said: "We have done really well today with more than 100 people coming to visit us."

Marks Hall in Coggeshall has been closed since February 24 because of foot-and-mouth. Many of the footpaths are still shut. However, now it is open visitors have been keen to come back.

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