STEPHEN Rampley today has the job of giving Felixstowe’s tourist industry and town centre businesses a big shot in the arm.

He has been appointed as the seaside town’s first marketing and events co-ordinator, and will be working hard to publicise what the resort has to offer and bring in extra visitors.

“Organisations in the town have been talking about someone taking on this role for some time and I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to do it,” said Mr Rampley.

“At the moment we have lots of events going on but sometimes the message doesn’t get out to the right people, or the publicity might be too late, left to the last-minute, or not enough.

“My aim is to co-ordinate the publicity, working with the event organisers and acting as the point of contact to make sure we get the message across to as many people as possible.

“Felixstowe has lots going on and we want people to go to events and enjoy them, and, of course, bring more people to Felixstowe to help boost the economy.”

Mr Rampley’s background is in travel and tourism, having worked for more than 20 years at the Regional Tourist Board for the East of England, and alongside his new role also works part-time on the Landguard peninsula organising and running events at the fort, museum and nature reserve.

He will be sending out regular bulletins to a wide variety of organisations, and encouraging event organisers to work together to help each other promote activities.

“The more people we can get to the various events, the bigger benefits for everyone,” he said.