Youngsters on a hard-hit Southend housing estate are looking forward to a day out at the zoo thanks to a community-minded woman.

Sylvia Hallett, of the town's Kursaal Estate, has organised the holiday trip for people living on the estate.

And around 100 people, young and old, are expected to turn out and cram into the two coaches laid on for the event on Monday August 9.

Miss Hallett said: "A lot of the people on the estate don't have much to do and I thought it would be lovely to organise a trip for them.

"It is the summer holidays now and a lot of the kids get bored because their parents can't be bothered to take them out anywhere.

"I just thought they would love a trip to Colchester Zoo. It would be far better for them to meet the monkeys and elephants than get into trouble here."

Miss Hallett spent weeks organising the outing and making sure there were wheelchairs and zimmer frames for those who needed them.

She is also planning refreshments and a raffle for the youngsters to help the long coach trip pass more quickly.

And Miss Hallett said she hoped this trip would be the first of many.

She said: "I am planning a mystery tour and a cream tea for the elderly people living on the estate in September and I want to arrange a millennium party.

"Something really big to brighten up the area and make people glad they live on the estate.

"Nearly 800 people live here, but there is never anything organised for them to do."

Miss Hallett is the entertainments officer for the Wood Grange Tenants' Association, which is trying to improve life for residents living on the Kursaal.

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