Ambitious plans for Canvey seafront have now been mapped out by a group restoring the area for the millennium.

Canvey 2000 has decided a final plan of action for work left to be carried out on Eastern Esplanade.

The group made up of councillors, headteachers, residents and local businessmen has so far pumped more than £80,000 into improving the seafront.

Work has included block paving and Victorian style street lighting along by the sea wall and a water feature with surrounding scented garden. Now the group has laid bare plans for work to complete the centre piece on Labworth Green.

Chairman of the project, Dennis Williams, was optimistic about the future work.

He said: "We have finally made up our minds and we have decided on a number of things for the area.

"A giant novelty clock tower will form our centrepiece by the water feature. It will be like Big Ben on a miniature scale and will probably cost us £20,000.

"The fundraising is a continual thing and the ball is still rolling, but we think most of that money will come from lottery funding if we are successful."

Plans are also in the pipeline for more flower beds, palm trees and two children's adventure playgrounds.

Visitors to the seafront will be able to stop for a spot of lunch at a new picnic area and a landscaped parking area will be made on the site.

Mr Williams said: "It is going to be unbelievable when we have finished, really impressive."

Donations can be made to Canvey 2000 at NatWest Bank in the island's High Street.

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