TOURISM is booming at a marina which featured on a hit TV drama series.

The striking marshlands at Tollesbury Marina have featured on every episode of the ITV drama Liar, serving as the background to the opening titles.

In the opening scene, the main character Laura, played by Downton Abbey actress Joanne Froggatt, kayaking through the winding marshes which are at the mouth of the River Blackwater.

Since the series’ debut in September, businesses have reported more tourists coming to the marina, with the show being a “hot topic” with visitors.

Phin Franklin, Harbour Master for Tollesbury Marina, said: “We’ve certainly seen a lot more people walking around the marina and marshlands since the show started.

“More people have been out on the marshes going further out than usual, and visiting the older kayak storage houses.

“The restaurant Harbour View definitely had a lot of people in who were talking about it, apparently it was the hot topic for dinner conversations.”

The six-part series concluded on October 16. It focused on Laura and Andrew, whose initial attraction leads to a date that has far-reaching consequences for the couple and their friends and families, as secrets and lies are revealed.

Film crews shot many scenes for the series at the marshes in February this year.

Due to its success, a second series has been commissioned as is expected to air in 2019.

Phin added: “One big change we’ve seen is many more people have been asking about kayaking. The main character was really keen on the sport and she goes out into the marshes in pretty much every episode.

“I think once it becomes public knowledge that there will be a second series, we could see even more people seeking us out from around the area, it’s an exciting time.”

Jared Higham, manager of the Tollesbury Café, said: “The last few weeks we’ve had a definitely noticeable increase in people coming in. Quite a few parties told us they came down specifically because of the TV series.

“It’s always good news that there’s potentially more business on the horizon. There’s lots to do here and if more people are attracted to the area the better it is for all of us.”