Relaxed gambling and planning laws are needed to boost Clacton's tourist trade, tourism leaders have said.

The Conservative Party launched its seaside policy in the resort yesterday (Thursday) with Peter Ainsworth, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, speaking to tourism bosses about how to regenerate the area.

At Clacton Town Hall Billy Peak, who is plannting to develop part of the amusement arcade and the Clacton Pavilion site, said: "There should be a business long-term loan, at low interest rates, which would be paid back because it is very hard to find investors.

"There's a lot of money being given away from national lottery funding. If 25 per cent had gone to coastal resorts the amount of regeneration would be massive."

He said a possible £30 million lottery award to a pier at Brighton was a good example of where money could be better spent, and he also called for lower VAT rates, in line with tourism across mainland Europe.

Mr Peak said a review of gambling laws which is taking place should allow more liberal rules to include schemes such as casinos if there was a local need.

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