A two-day tour of cultural Essex is being held in a bid to improve the county's image.
National journalists have been invited to take a walk on the quality side of Essex.
In the first move of its kind, Essex County Council is launching its £10,000 Real Essex Culture campaign with a press trip instead of the usual adverts.
The two-day, all-expenses-paid tour of the county will include a stroll in Constable country, Shakespeare at Colchester's Mercury Theatre and a meeting with chef Antony Worrall Thompson.
Deirdre McGonagle, tourism development manager, said the main aim was to promote Essex as a short-break destination.
She said: "It's about saying we're not an urban overspill of London and we have our own identity. We have got intelligent people who like to do interesting things. We're not unintelligent, illiterate or promiscuous. We are cultured and sophisticated."
Published Thursday October 17, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article