A SECOND World War trail could be created in Clacton as a new tourist attraction.

The resort found itself on the front line during the war and its beaches were covered in barbed wire, while gun batteries covered the clifftops.

Stephen Mayzes, Tendring councillor responsible for leisure and tourism, said he wants to see a heritage trail.

The idea stems from a survey by the Clacton Victoria County History Group which looked at Second World War defences in Clacton, Jaywick and Holland-on-Sea.

Clacton suffered the first civilian casualties on mainland Britain when a German plane crashed in Victoria Road in 1940.

Mr Mayzes said: “Along our coastline there are some visible war defences and the Victoria County History Group found remains of these.

“I would like to see an interactive heritage trail created along our coastline as an attraction.

“We could use technology to create interactive information points where people can find out what was happening 20, 50 or even 100 years ago.

“The history trail would show where defences were along our coastline and would be a good attraction.”

Mr Mayzes said along parts of the trail, gun turrets or defences could be reconstructed and the town could also host re-enactment events.

Colin Preen, of the Clacton Victoria County History Group, said: “We are very interested in putting up boards at points of interest.”

Mr Mayzes said he will be asking council officers to draw up a report looking at how the group’s research could be used as part of an attraction.