A GENEROUS donation has been awarded to help fund equipment for a new visitor centre.

Frinton and Walton Town Council has given £10,000 to Essex Wildlife Trust’s Naze Visitor Centre.

The donation will help fund the electronic educational equipment, including Ipads, laptops and GPS units.

Town mayor Jack Robertson presented the cheque to Essex Wildlife Trust chief executive Andrew Impey and centre assistant manager Mark Broome.

Mr Impey thanked the council for its generosity.

He said: “The equipment significantly enhances our centre, where we continue to introduce new facilities for visitors, to celebrate this remarkable corner of Essex.”

The centre, which is part of Essex Wildlife Trust, was officially opened last September and has already welcomed more than 100,000 visitors from the local area and further afield.

Mr Robertson said: “We are delighted to support Essex Wildlife Trust and the new centre at the Naze in delivering excellent education activities for the local community and look forward to seeing the equipment in action over the coming years.”

The centre, which is supported by more than 50 volunteers, has had more than 25 schools and hundreds of pupils visit for education days.

More than 100 events have been held at the centre so far with 1,200 people participating.

Upcoming events at the centre include a fossil hunt, illustrated talks on the local history of Walton, a craft fair and an Easter events programme.

Essex Wildlife Trust team leader Beverly Gadsby said: “We are really pleased that we have been able to provide such a warm welcome to so many visitors.

“Education is a crucial part of what we offer at the Naze centre and our school visits are fully booked until July, with over 2,000 pupils due to visit us over the next few months.”