American politicians to visit Essex to strengthen trade and tourism links
The US delegation will feature members of Virginia Beach City Council
A delegation from Virginia, USA will visit Essex today (March 19) aiming to strengthen tourism links between the two areas.
The Mayor of Virginia Beach, Bobby Dyer, and others will meet Essex County Council representatives in Colchester, and then the group will travel to Chelmsford for a formal ceremony.
This lesser-known "special relationship" between Virginia and Essex goes back further than residents may realise - the great-grandfather of George Washington, America's founding father and first president, lived in the county.
Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, Louise McKinlay, said: "When it comes to engineering, energy, emerging technologies in that space, there's a clear link-up.
McKinlay said the reasons Americans come to Essex range from Roman history and world-renowned industries, to rural beauty, eateries, and even being on the doorstep of London.
"We know that Americans are the number-one country from where our visitors come from in the UK.
"As a county I think we've got a huge pull.
"This is about how we can get on that international stage and really shout about it."
The delegation will attend Layer Marney Tower in Colchester, a historical site dating back to Tudor times.
The visit will also coincide with English tourism week.