The village of Rayne has a bizarre new tourist attraction - fly spotting.

People became curious after This Is Essex's story of villagers battening down the hatches because they were being plagued by a swarm of flies.

And businesses have been visited by tourists over the Easter weekend looking to see what the fuss is all about.

Sharon Potter runs the Cottage Craft Shop Tearoom at Blake House Craft Centre, Blake End, Rayne.

She said some people had visited the tearoom just to seek out the flies.

She added: "People have been turning up because of what they have read in the newspapers and what they have heard on the radio.

"They've been coming in and laughing about all the flies, but it is no laughing matter for people coming here to eat. However, we are trying to keep on top of the problem the best we can."

Shop assistant Nikki Barnett added: "A few people have come in just to ask questions about the flies but we've absolutely no idea where they have come from."

After a fly invasion lasting two weeks, teashop workers are beginning to win the battle, tackling the flies with killer spray and swatters.

Braintree Council officers have also been investigating. Pest professionals think the fly explosion has been caused because of a mild winter and recent warm temperatures have caused dormant fly eggs to hatch.

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