New moves are to be made in a bid to back struggling Tendring farmers who have diversified into tourist-related activities.

They are being offered free promotional help to pull in the visitors - and even a specially dedicated website, if the response is big enough.

Tendring Council is teaming up with Agricultural Development in the Eastern Region for the project.

The aim is to promote sporting facilities such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting as well as more tried and tested activites like pick your own and produce bought at the farm gate - which help to attract people into the area.

The initiative has come following a successful rural conference staged with farmers in the district.

Tendring tourism manager Sally Looker said that a workshop was put on to look at the various ways which farmers were involved with tourism and ways to help them to promote what they were doing.

Agricultural Development in the Eastern Region is keen to approach the East of England Development Agency for funding.

Mick Page, Tendring Council's regeneration portfolio holder, said the project showed the council's commitment to assist those in the rural areas.

Farm owners who want to be included in the project should contact Tendring Council's tourism and marketing officer Lynsey Dawson on 01255 253167.

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Published Wednesday, January 8, 2003