Southend has been snubbed in a cultural tour of Essex aimed at boosting the county's image.

Essex County Council has organised a tour of its treasures for national journalists as part of its £10,000 Real Essex Culture campaign.

Spectacular, but ignored - Hadleigh Castle

The two-day all-expenses-paid tour will take in a stroll in Constable country, Shakespeare at Colchester's Mercury Theatre and a meeting with celebrity chef Anthony Worrell Thompson.

However, south Essex, including Southend, has been given the cold shoulder.

Southend's council leader Charles Latham said: "This is certainly a matter which I shall be raising with my colleagues on Essex County Council. Not only have we got museums, art galleries and other cultural attractions in Southend but there is a wealth of history around the area."

Published Friday October 18, 2002

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