Tourists visiting an Essex town could travel back in time to its Roman and medieval past in the most innovative way yet - virtual reality technology.

Historical events and street scenes in Colchester could be recreated with VR headsets, facilitated by a proposed 5G network in the town centre.

Colchester Borough Council is set to invest £1million in a small cell 5G network as part of its town deal scheme, which aims to improve digital connectivity in the borough.

According to a council report, virtual-reality tourism is the most realistic current real-life use of 5G.

A statement from the council also said creating the network would enable other uses, such as smart city technologies like air quality and traffic monitoring.

Giving a presentation at a Scrutiny Panel meeting this week (February 15), Lindsay Barker, Strategic Director of Policy and Place, said 5G-enabled virtual reality could be deployed at sites like the Roman Wall and Colchester Castle.

She said at the meeting: “As you’ll probably know with 5G technology, it’s very expensive, so this is scratching the surface and really trying to tackle market failure to see whether we can deploy this technology successfully in the town centre and then encourage the market to follow.”

According to Ms Barker, the project is being led by Amphora Trading Ltd on behalf of the council.

The network would also benefit the digital skills and working hubs also planned as part of the Town Deal programme, which will cost £900,000 each according to the report.

These projects would see an old gym at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Colchester refurbished with the aim of upskilling 145 residents a year, the report continues.

5G falls under the theme of digital and physical connectivity, one of three identified by the Town Deal scheme.

Portfolio Holder for Councillor Economy, Business and Heritage Darius Laws (Con, Rural North) said in a statement: “The council has a vital role to play in encouraging economic development in the town, and digital connectivity is a key part of this.