TOURISM bosses hope a smartphone app which cost up to £100,000 to develop could bring more visitors to Colchester.

The app has been bankrolled by Colchester Council after it secured grant funding from a number of sources.

The town will be just the fifth UK destination to launch the app, behind London, Edinburgh, Bristol and the Isle of Wight.

Users will be able to tap into locals’ recommendations as well as find out how to get to the ‘must see’ tourist hotspots.

Other tourist towns and cities included in the app also list bars, restaurants, shops and nightspots.

It is part of the authority’s drive to increase the number of people visiting the borough and stay at least one night.

Tim Young, Colchester councillor responsible for tourism, said the investment shows where the town is now aiming.

He said: “It will allow us to do what we haven’t done well in the past, and that is shout about how good Colchester really is."

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