Two songwriters want to turn their musical notes into folding ones to raise funds to save Southend Pier.

Chris Jones and Jack Forbes reckon they have penned enough songs over the years about their beloved pier to make a charity CD.

They have also offered to sing some of them at the celebrity fund-raising gala variety show now being planned, or give them to the stars to perform there.

Among the famous entertainers keen to appear in the show are cockney double act Chas 'n' Dave, who are rumoured to be writing their own pier support song.

However Chris, 49, who teaches at Glenwood School for children with severe learning difficulties, joked: "We've been doing the songs about the pier a lot longer than Chas 'n' Dave - since the early 70s."

One of their numbers, called Southend Pier Train Rag was featured recently on the Brentwood based community radio station, Phoenix Radio.

They have also made appearances on BBC Radio 5 and Radio 4. Chris said: "The next project is to do a CD, but we want to bring in some new young talent.

"We need to involve the younger generation in the pier. I remember when there was the pier pavilion, a fabulous building, before the bowling alley was built.

"It would be nice to see the pier regenerated, but it needs to be a pier for a younger generation. If these songs could be used in any way at all to help the pier, then we would be happy."

Meanwhile Southend Pier Museum Foundation chairman, Peggy Dowie welcomed the offer from the songwriters.

She said: "I think it's a very good idea and it would be very fitting to have a CD."

Peggy invited them to contact her to discuss their plans. Last month This Is Essex told how actress Joan Hodges volunteered to arrange the fund-raising celebrity variety show.

As well as Chas'n'Dave, the hoped-for roll call includes Alf Garnett - actor Warren Mitchell - who has publicly thrown himself into efforts to save the pier.

Also Bill Pertwee, who played the ARP warden in the 70s sitcom Dad's Army, who once lived in Southend, is also keen to help out.

Mrs Dowie said: "I do hope that the concert goes ahead. They are all very busy people, so I hope they will be able to do it.

"It's wonderful to know that famous people want to do something the pier. It just shows the measure of love people have for it.

"The youngsters from Choirwood are also really enthusiastic about it."

The show could take place in the autumn at the Cliffs Pavilion.

A view from Southend pier

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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