The owner of two holiday parks near Clacton-on-Sea says that new jobs will be created following permission for them to operate for an additional fortnight each year.

Seawick Holiday Park and St Osyth Holiday Village have previously gone into winter “hibernation” for the whole of February but from now on they will be able to reopen from the middle of the month.

Park Holidays UK, which owns both sites, said that the extension – granted by Tendring District Council – would benefit more than 1,100 holiday homes in total and create a number of new jobs, including some training opportunities.

Director Tony Clish said that Seawick and St Osyth were already among the most popular of the firm’s 26 holiday parts in southern England, both for owning and renting holiday homes, with work nearing completion on a £3m investment programme at Seawick, including a new entertainment and swimming pool complex.

“Increasing the period when holiday homes can be used is a reflection of the way people now use their leisure, and enjoy more shorter breaks throughout the year,” he said.

“Plenty of indoor entertainment means the weather is never a barrier to taking time out, and modern holiday homes provide all the comforts for four-season use.

“Tourism and leisure are an important component of the regional economy of this area, and there are today many fantastic chances for career progression within the industry.

“We have a development programme which encourages people to make the most of their potential, and we are always keen to offer promotion to those keen to progress.”

Mr Clish added that holiday home sales and advance holiday bookings for 2017 were already very buoyant.