James Heappey, the Conservatives’ General Election candidate in Burnham-On-Sea, has abseiled 450 feet down the cliffs at Cheddar Gorge to mark the launch of English Tourism Week.
The descent coincided with the launch of the 2015 English Tourism Week, which showcases the country’s holiday and leisure destinations and their value to the economy and creation of local employment.
Mr Heappey completed the abseil in 10 minutes using 200m abseil ropes and said: “It was an absolutely exhilarating experience and an enormous privilege to be allowed to descend one of the most daunting cliff faces in Britain – but also one of the country’s most naturally beautiful and iconic landscapes.”
“The abseil helps to promote the amazing opportunities for outdoor activities that exist across our county. Somerset has so much to offer in so many different areas and there is the opportunity to create hundreds, perhaps thousands, more jobs if we can encourage more people to come here.”
After a difficult 2014 caused partly by the Somerset floods, the county’s tourism industry is preparing and investing for the season ahead.
James added: “In recent weeks, Environment Minister Liz Truss has thrown her support behind new initiatives to encourage people to visit Somerset and sample our world class food and drink.”
“I’ll continue to work with Visit Somerset and the local tourist industry to help promote out county and help them realise that potential.”
