Fishermen have backed the government’s decision to designate the district’s coastline as a marine conservation zone.

The announcement has seen the ‘Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries’ named as one of the first 27 areas nationwide to be protected.

The conservation zone, which will stretch from Clacton to the north-east tip of Foulness, in Kent, means the entire length of the Maldon district’s coastline will be protected, including tidal waters off Tollesbury, Goldhanger, Heybridge, Maldon, Bradwell, Burnham and North Fambridge.