Clacton-on-Sea and relatively dry summers (which also enhances the towns popularity as a sea-side town), but also fairly chilly winter days. For the 1961–1990 observation period, Clacton averaged 103.7 days with at least 1mm of rain annually, and just 24.3 air frosts a year- comparable to south west coastal locations. Clacton's population increased substantially during the 20th century from 7,456 at the 1901 census to 25,000 in the 1960s, 45,065 in 1991 and reaching over 53,000 by 2001. St Osyth's Teacher Training College occupied several buildings in Clacton, mostly along Marine Parade East, until its amalgamation with the North East Essex
Clacton-on-Sea Hotel, and Groom's Crippleage (which housed orphaned handicapped girls from London). Cordy's seafront restaurant has been converted to other uses. Butlins Camp has now given way to flats. The other main change on the sea front is the large wind-farm located 3 miles offshore on Gunfleet Sand, which is visible from many streets in the town and even from inland. The once famously crowded Bus Station in Jackson Road has become a car park. The Ocean Revue Theatre, where Max Bygraves made one of his first appearances, has shut. Clacton's town centre and seafront areas were struck by an F1/T2