COMPARED to all the UK regions the East of England is bucking the trend when it comes to high streets.

In Manningtree businesses are continuing buck the trend despite a difficult time over Easter.

Jenine Collier, Manningtree Business Chamber boss and owner of Creatively Crafty, said everything was doing well at the moment.

She said: “We have a couple of businesses coming and going – but everything is ticking along nicely."

She added: “With my shop Creatively Crafty we have worked very hard on our pricing, customer service and things like how items are gift wrapped.

“It is just putting a little bit more effort in than normal.”