Cheerful, wannabe pier train drivers are required by Southend Council to ferry about the thousands of tourists set to descend on the town.

With the summer season rapidly approaching and the pier back in business, council officers are calling for people of all ages with a good sense of humour to consider driving one of their pier trains.

Marjory Hall, pier and foreshore officer said: "Obviously during the summer months we need additional staff to deal with the, literally, thousands of visitors we have each day - as a consequence we are actively looking for pier train drivers.

"We are looking to recruit people now to work all the way through to the end of the summer season in October."

Speaking of requirements for the job, she added: "Applicants should be bright and cheerful characters as obviously we are a visitor attraction."

The trains have become very much part of the pier experience - this particular design of train has been running since 1986 and they are immensely popular.

Anyone interested can contact Marjory on 01702 315620 or Vanessa Norton for an application pack on 01702 215639.

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003

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