Go for a stroll and you may find out some remarkable things about your home town.

Blue badge heritage guide Colin Crosby has led a number of walks around the south of Essex for many years and frequently returns from his present home in Leicester to amaze locals who know little of their own area's history.

He has set up a number of walks for March but admits his Tales for a Winter's Night walk around Prittlewell, which features stories of ghosts and hauntings, is already full.

He said: "These walks are very popular indeed in the Leicester area and the same thing obviously applies around Southend. I will be repeating this particular walk on a future occasion."

However, places are still available for his walk through the ancient market town of Rochford on the afternoon of March 5.

During the walk, Colin will be discussing Rochford's Royal connections, its unique mediaeval street system, the fine examples of local building styles and a non-Conformist sect which started in the town.

Colin is a well-known as a interpreter and populariser of local history and heritage matters. Originally from Essex, born in Rochford, he has lived a substantial part of his life in the county. During the 1970s he was for a time public relations officer for the Rochford Hundred Amenities Society.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoy showing people interesting towns and villages and of course there's a special pleasure in doing so in the town where I was born."

The Rochford walk starts outside the library in Rochford Square at 1pm on Sunday. Tickets are £4 on the day and £3 when paid in advance.

If you've not booked then Colin recommends you do so quickly as they frequently sell out.

To ensure a place, call Colin on 0116 2611576.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.