MALDON’S stellar attractions came top of the bill as part of a weekend to celebrate and boost tourism across Essex.

For the Essex Big Weekend 57 attractions across the county opened their doors free of charge for people to enjoy.

Organised by Visit Essex, the scheme saw people bid for tickets with a limited number on offer.

The beach huts in Promenade Park proved the most popular among bidders with 13,845 entries submitted for just 16 tickets.

Splash Park also finished in the top five with 4,348 bids for 3,200 tickets.

Maldon District Council introduced the eight coloured huts in the park in August 2015.

The huts have electricity, cupboard space and a couple of chairs and can be hired every day throughout the year.

In the summer they are available for hire between 10.30am to 9pm or 30 minutes before dusk, whichever is earlier.

Splash Park opened in Promenade Park opened in 2006 and has continued to be a top visitor attraction.

Bob Boyce MBE, chairman of the community services committee, said: “The Essex Big Weekend, which is organised by Visit Essex, is a great event and we are pleased to be part of it.

“The Beach Huts in Promenade Park are always popular and are a great way to spend a day, with plenty in the park for everyone.

“Maldon and the Saltmarsh Coast is a fantastic year round destination and we are looking forward to the start of, what may be, our biggest summer yet.”

Across the Essex Big Weekend the 57 attractions welcomed thousands of visitors.

A total of 5,500 tickets were donated and 97,000 people bid for free entrance.

A seal spotting tour from Harwich came second for the amount of bids, while tickets to Audley End House and Adventure Island completed the top five.

Other tickets on offer in the Maldon district included for the Combined Military Services Museum, the Museum of Power and Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Visitors can find out more about the Maldon district and its top attractions at www.VisitMaldonDistrict.co.uk or at the Tourist Information Centres in Maldon and Burnham.