Four tower blocks which dominate Southend's skyline have undergone a dramatic transformation in a £4 million council revamp.

The first major phase of the Town Centre 2000 project has now finished. The regeneration scheme included refurbishments to Chiltern, Pennine, Malvern and Quantock blocks of flats in Chichester Road

For the last two years work has included structural repairs , new double glazing, insulation, enclosing open balconies, putting in new rubbish chutes and giving the blocks a lick of paint.

Reg Copley, executive councillor for housing and direct services, said: "The completion of the work to externally refurbish all the blocks of flats has really brightened up the estate.

"Residents will now benefit from better living conditions with quieter, warmer homes and their heating bills should be significantly reduced by the energy efficiency measures introduced.

"The completion of this major element of the Town Centre 2000 project is something we can be proud of. It will not only have a huge impact on those living on the estate, but on all visitors to the centre of Southend."

Other wide-ranging initiatives on the estate include training local people to set up childcare facilities such as a kids club.

Residents have also been involved in a "planning for real event" where they point out areas they like and dislike about the estate and highlight parts which need changing.

Improved security is also one of the areas being looked at for the future.

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