A NEW listening bench has been installed in Burnham.

The bench has been installed as part of a project by the Essex Record Office.

Burnham is the 18th and final location across the county to get their bench.

The You are Hear project officially opened the bench at an event on Friday, attended by the leader of Maldon District Council, Mark Durham.

He said: “I’m thrilled and heartened to see people taking pride in their communities, working with the You Are Hear project not only in preserving but also bringing history alive, through these benches.”

The bench, installed in West Quay, allows visitors to the area to take in views and learn about the town’s history.

Once seated, you can choose to hear from a collection of recordings, focused on Burnham and its past.

A range of topics were chosen by a team of volunteers to reflect key aspects of the town’s heritage.

Oyster fishing, regattas, Burnham’s rescue centre during the 1953 floods, the town’s key role in the Second World War, and life in Burnham in the early 20th century all feature.

The recorded memories of long-standing Burnham residents was put together by the volunteers and funded by National Lottery players.

At the unveiling, visitors were given the opportunity to try out the listening bench and speak to the volunteers who selected the audio clips, as well as one of the interviewers who recorded many of the original interviews.

The project was supported by Burnham Town Council and Maldon District Council.

Similar benches are dotted around the country in Basildon, Castle Hedingham, Chelmsford, Clacton, Coggeshall, Colchester, , Galleywood, Great Dunmow, Harlow, Harwich, Southend and Witham.

One in Coggeshall caused controversy as it was positioned next to a pub and homes and people were woken up nightly by the history lessons.