RADIO presenter James Max has issued a challenge to broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn to visit the genteel resort of Frinton after he jested there was “nothing to do there”.

TalkRadio host James, who is also chairman of Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club, defended his home town during a discussion on the Jeremy Vine show on Channel 5.

Following a debate over the carbon emissions caused by barbecues, Tony said he didn’t understand why people used them when they have perfectly good ovens in the kitchen.

But after James revealed he enjoyed a barbecue, Tony barbed: “You live in Frinton, there’s nothing else to do there.”

Vine then asked James whether it was right that Frinton had “banned” ice cream - and Tony said “they didn’t have a pub or anything”.

Putting the presenter right, James said: “No, they’ve got ice cream, they’ve got fish and chips, they’ve got a pub.”

Tony Blackburn, who presents BBC Radio 2’s weekly Sounds of the 60s show, was a former pirate radio DJ aboard Radio Caroline in the 1960s.

The ship famously ran aground at Frinton beach in heavy winds in 1966.

Blackburn added: “When I was on the pirate ships, I was there on the North Sea looking at Frinton for three years – and nothing happened.”

James said he had invited Tony to Frinton “to show that things do happen”.

“Will you take up the challenge?” he asked. “Yes, I will,” responded Tony.

Vine then joked: “Tony could bring the roadshow to Frinton. There could be crowd trouble!”

Following the show, James told the Gazette: “At one point Tony suggested that Frinton had nothing going on... the cheek of it. I challenged him to visit and come and see for himself.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Top 5 things to do in Frinton

  • Beach and Greensward: Frinton’s beloved Greensward and tranquil beach attract thousands of visitors every summer. The beach has a Seaside Award in recognition of its quality.
  • Frinton Summer Theatre:
  • The professional repertory theatre takes place every summer at the town’s McGrigor Hall and recently hosted Sir Ian McKellen .
  • Shopping: Once known as the Bond Street of the East, Connaught Avenue still has a large number of independent shops.
  • Food and drink: Despite facing protest when it first opened in 2000, the Lock and Barrel pub is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike and the town boasts numerous excellent restaurants.
  • Sport: The resort’s sporting facilities include golf, cricket and lawn tennis clubs with the latter planning a £1million overhaul.