Banners on Esplanade and in town centre convey Sidmouth's messages to visitors

Banners have gone up on Sidmouth's Esplanade, welcoming visitors and asking them to 'respect, protect and enjoy' the beach and coast.

A larger banner has been put above Fore Street in the town centre,, with the message 'Please be kind. Please shop, eat and drink to support our local independent businesses'.

The banners also carry the Visit Sidmouth website address, and invite people to take a look at the site for ideas on what to do in the local area.

Visit Sidmouth has been working hard to help promote the town to holidaymakers and day visitors, and boost the tourist economy.

As well as the very successful Visit Sidmouth website – on course to get a million visits by the end of the year – the initiatives have included the refurbishment of the Tourist Information Centre, and the distribution of the town map around businesses in Sidmouth and in places where people travelling to Devon will see them, such as the Exeter motorway services.

The Visit Sidmouth campaign is being managed by Ignyte PR in partnership with town councillor Louise Cole, and supported by the Tourism Advisory Group, a working group that was set up to deliver the council's tourism promotion strategy, comprising members of the local community with extensive experience in tourism and business.