A NEW sea and beach festival is to take place in Clacton this summer as part of a bid to pull in tourists.

The two-day festival will take place on the weekend of July 4 and 5 and will include a host of water-based activities and sports.

Tendring Council, which is organising the event, said a programme is currently being drawn up, but that there will be pleasure boat rides operating from West Beach for the first time in many years.

The pleasure boat Viking Saga will also return to the resort and is anticipated to bring back memories of the resort's heyday.

Music and entertainment and a beachside barbecue will be among the other attractions.

Mark Platt, cabinet member for tourism said: “The idea of a Sea and Beach Festival was brought up and we have agreed with local businesses to fit this in at the start of July in order to have an event earlier in the summer season.

"We are confident it will prove very popular with residents and visitors alike.”

Mr Platt said that the festival will get under way at 11am on both days and will run until 5pm on the beach from Clacton Pier towards Martello Bay.