TOURISM chiefs in Essex have urged people to get out and enjoy the varied delights of the county - whatever the weather this Easter weekend.

Despite predictions of temperatures in single figures, chairman of Visit Essex, George Kieffer, said there are a range of attractions that can be enjoyed come rain or shine.

Many of them feature in the organisation’s “Live Local, Love Local” campaign launched earlier this month, which offers visitors reduced entry at more than 50 destinations around Essex.

Mr Kieffer said: “With this unseasonal weather the visitor may well ask what there is to do and see. A visit to a stately home like Audley End House may well get you out of the cold, but there is something beautiful too in a snowy landscape with a walk along our coastline or in the ancient woodlands of Epping and Hatfield Forests.

He added: “And you can then round off a bracing day than with a meal in one of our many restaurants and pubs, enjoying some Essex food and drink. A warm welcome will await you even on these cold days.”

At Clacton Pier, director Billy Ball said the attraction was set up for cold days as well as warm ones.

He said: “Everyone has this idea that the seaside is about the beach and buckets but the Great British weather doesn’t always play along.

“We have worked hard to make the pier a 52-week attraction, so people can come all year round.”

Mr Ball pointed to a newly-built ten-pin bowling alley, the aquarium and restaurants and cafes as places on the pier that can cater for people in all weathers.

Supervisor at the Essex Rose Tea Rooms in Tiptree, Emma Wicks, said she expected a steady stream of visitors over Easter, regardless of the forecast.

She added: “It’s lovely when the sun shines because people come out and go for a walk and visit us. But we have a very traditional and cosy feel in the tea rooms, so people also like to stop here for a cream tea and a hot drink to warm themselves up when the weather isn’t that great.”