Essex stars help tourist board challenge stereotype

Visit Essex makes light of television narrative to focus on nature reserves and seal watching

Think Essex. Think white stilettos, boy racers, fake tans, tracksuits? Now Essex, weary of this stereotypical image, is putting the record straight - with tongue firmly in cheek.

A new promotional ThisisEssex film aims to recast the narrative spawned in popular culture through the reality show The Only Way is Essex (Towie), Harry Enfield's Loadsamoney", Birds of a Feather sitcom characters Sharon and Tracey and Ian Dury's hit Billericay Dickie.