THE slogan used to promote Colchester could be changed to make more reference to the town’s rich Roman history.

Visitors and residents are regularly greeted with the existing strapline Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town.

But Colchester Council has held talks to look at changing the title to help boost tourism.

Suggestions included First Capital of Roman Britain and Britain’s First Roman City.

A meeting of the council’s heritage and tourism task and finish group proposed Britain’s First Roman City and more.

At the meeting Katharine Sheppard, communications business partner, and Claire Taylor, visitor and cultural services manager, gave advice on what would be the best option.

The panel is now asking the council’s Cabinet to approve plans to undertake an online public consultation asking people’s views.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

An extract of minutes, set to go before Cabinet next week, said: “Claire considered it was important not to narrow down Colchester’s appeal given Colchester had a lot to offer beyond its heritage, and many tourism stakeholders with non-heritage related businesses whilst many potential visitors were not engaged by history or the Romans.

“Katharine was of the view a strapline shouldn’t be too long, and should flow well when written down or read.

“The chairman welcomed the suggestion to test a potential change in strapline by starting an online public consultation and proposed recommending to Cabinet Britain’s First Roman City be adopted for this purpose.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Romans, under the direction of Emperor Claudius, invaded the town in 43AD, and Camulodunum became the capital of Roman Britain.

The town’s Roman heritage lives on with Balkerne Gate, the town’s Roman wall and the Roman Circus.

The Cabinet will meet at the town hall on Wednesdayat 6pm to decide the next move.