Plans to attract coach loads of day-trippers into Halstead have been greeted enthusiastically by pub and cafe owners.

Business leaders want to exploit the town’s growing reputation for its floral displays and are exploring ways to attract tourists.

Annette Randall, of Halstead Town Team, said: “This is in the pipeline, it is not going to happen overnight. We are talking about small groups to start with and we will build it up.

“Halstead will not survive on tourists alone but we need to to try something. It is just trying to put us on the map, we live here but we forget how attractive it is.”

Mick Lamb, owner of the Quinteassential Tea Shop, said: “It would be lovely to have tourists. I think what they do with the flowers here absolutely makes the town.

“When I look at this town centre and Braintree town centre it just shows you what can be done."

See this week's Gazette for the full story.