A COLCHESTER couple have taken tourism in Essex by storm.

Betsy and David Maytham started creating treasure trails in 2008 after taking part in one in the West Country.

Mrs Maytham, 27, of Bluebell Way, in Braiswick, said: “We came back from a holiday with my parents and thought ‘why haven’t we got anything like this in Essex?’ “So we thought we would do it ourselves and people seem to have liked it.”

The couple’s first trail was based in Colchester in 2008 but now they have 23 trails in the county, covering places such as Burnham on Crouch, Billericay and Walton.

“It’s a great thing for families to do but we’ve done them for stag and hen parties and it’s a great way for a visitor to get to know the town.”

The Colchester trail challenges the participant to find out who was behind the death of Roman specialist Ivor Togaron by following the clues by the archaeologist before he died.

To buy the trails, go to treasuretrails.co.uk/essex.