A company leading the race to run Southend Pier announced ambitious plans to transform it into a year round attraction.

Multi-million pound plans featuring stylish restaurants, bars and a rollercoaster have been unveiled by an entertainment company.

The proposal, with five others, was considered by Southend's cabinet yesterday but a decision was put off because of an undisclosed technical matter.

The Bournemouth-based Riviera Group is the frontrunner to take over the 1.3 mile attraction after their bid to run Bournemouth's pier collapsed.

The group drew up extensive plans for the much smaller pier in Bournemouth but the local council decided not to proceed with the scheme because of finance issues and lack of detailed plans.

The proposals also aim to end the saying that the pier is a mile walk to nowhere by building a roller coaster the end of the pier.