A hovercraft made famous in a James Bond film could be used to patrol the south Essex coastline.

Organisers of Surf Watch Southend hope to buy a three-man Hov Pod to carry out rescues along the coast from Shoebury to Canvey.

The nippy vehicle was famously used in the opening scenes of the Bond film Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan.

It can reach speeds of up to 45 mph and can be used on land and sea in winds up to gale force four.

Surf Watch organisors, who hope to recruit up to 120 full-time lifeguards to patrol the coast, think the £15,000 Hov Pod would be the perfect life-saving vehicle.

Westcliff woman Lydia Sookias, 44, is the founder member of Surf Watch, which is in the process of registering as a charity.