Southend could be transformed into a bustling European seaside resort if £10 million of Euro cash is secured, it was revealed today.

An ambitious project has been unveiled by Southend Council with radical projects like a pier cybercafe, hovercraft terminal and a new-look High Street.

The town could be developed into a "tourism experience" and given a continental feel with "cultural quarters", according to an 18-page document which the council submitted to the Government when it applied for Objective Two funding.

It is hoped more than £5 million of Objective Two cash - funds given out by Europe to areas deemed in need of economic regeneration - can be won for the town which would be matched by £5 million from other sources.

Five of Southend's 13 wards are eligible for the funding - St Luke's, Milton, Victoria, Thorpe and Shoebury.

A package of radical building projects and new features have already been drawn up by the council under the umbrella of SSHAPE - Southend Seafront, High Street And Pier Enhancement.

Some of the proposals include:

Water features or sculptures in public areas

A platform for performing arts

High-tech video screen information points

High Street kiosks to create a thriving European street setting

A heritage trail from St Mary's Church, Prittlewell, to the Pier

l Extended cycle paths.

Massive town centre refurbishment would also take place including new paving, seats, dustbins and lamp posts, and improvement to town centre buildings.

In a letter to Euro-officials, council leader Charles Latham referred to the town's "struggle to achieve recognition for the problems faced by its town centre wards".

He wrote: "This represents a major opportunity for the council and its partners to work together towards a sustainable, long-term economic solution."

An announcement as to whether the bid was successful could be made within one month.

By Chris Weeks

Reporter's e-mail: chris.weeks@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.