PLANS are underway in the organisation of this year’s Essex Big Weekend, with hundreds of county-based businesses involved.

Hundreds of free pairs of tickets for a host of attractions and fun-filled activities will be up for grabs for the big weekend, which will be held on March 24 and 25.

A huge variety of Essex tourist attractions and related businesses will be opening their doors or offering special gifts to lucky ticket holders, as part of Visit Essex’s second celebration of the county’s tourism industry.

Some of the county’s biggest attractions have signed up to this year’s event, including Barleylands, Chelmsford City Racecourse, Lifehouse Spa Hotel, Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and Hedingham Castle to name a few.

Businesses and tourist attractions from around the Maldon district are invited to register their interest in being a part of the big weekend.

Visit Essex PR & Marketing Manager Carol Jolly said: “We could not have asked for a better welcome last year for the first ever Essex Big Weekend. All the participating attractions got into the spirit of the weekend, and we received some brilliant feedback from all involved.”

Registration opens on February 8.

Visit www.essexbigweekend.co.uk.