The mystery of a tank which had been baffling residents of Canvey has finally been solved.

Several Echo readers rang in to identify the owner of the large, mean fighting machine, which had been spotted parked in a residential street by surprised taxi driver Bob Chapman.

The tank belongs to Bernie Rice, the managing director of BW Rice Plant Hire based in Romainville Way, Canvey.

He explained he bought the Abbott Self Propelled Gun Tank from a private seller in Evesham six months ago, and uses it as a marketing gimmick.

He said: "It's good for promoting the company and has been a big draw, it's novel and a lot of people have noticed it already."

Mr Rice added he had also taken the tank to several military shows including events at Tilbury Fort and Battlesbridge.