A RIVAL town is hitting back after Tendring tried to cash in on Christmas.

Tendring Council is trying to lure frustrated shoppers away from Colchester in the run-up to the festive season.

A scheme that lets drivers park for free in most council-run car parks from 3pm has been splashed across the back of buses in Colchester.

But retailers in Colchester have hit back with their own marketing campaign, which includes large outdoor billboards in Clacton, Harwich and Manningtree.