A gas-powered vehicle will herald the launch of a major initiative aimed at giving Southend a spring clean.

A wide-range of initiatives have been drawn up for the council's spring clean week set to get under way from tomorrow.

Already pupils at Friars Infants School, Constable Way, Shoebury, have impressed council chiefs with their entry in a tidy school competition.

Youngsters at Thorpedene Infants, Delaware Road, Shoebury, have also proved they are not rubbish at art by designing an entertaining sculpture out of waste and junk.

Southend Council's head of environmental health David Connor said: "It's about six feet long and called the millennium pier.

"The centrepiece in it is an old umbrella which revolves when you turn a crank."

The aim of "spring clean '99" is to prompt environmental awareness and encouraging residents to make a difference and help spruce up Southend.

Other initiatives lined up to mark the spring clean include:

Repainting of bins, benches and lamp-posts

Installing new pigeon netting under the High Street railway bridge

Removing of advertising boards from pavements

Encouraging BT and Telewest to clean up street cabinets holding telephone equipment

New dolphin aluminium recycling bins along the seafront.

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