A great day for Southend!

That's how civic leaders today summed up the Queen's first ever visit to the town - with the hope that she and Prince Philip will return to south Essex in the near future.

Up to 10,000 people saw the Royal couple go walkabout on the seafront, chatting to people and dignitaries and expressing an interest in the town's heritage and future.

Southend's mayor Nora Goodman said: "The Queen mentioned the pier and asked what was being done to refurbish it. She was very interested in what is our heritage."

Chief executive and town clerk, George Krawiec, said he hoped the Royal couple would return to Southend in the near future.

MP Sir Teddy Taylor , who waved his Union Jack vigorously as the Queen left, said: "I really hope she will come back again - I'm sure she will."

Southend West MP David Amess added: "It was a wonderful event for all concerned."

Five members of campaign group Movement Against the Monarachy were arrested after trying to break through a police cordon.

The 10-strong group, who carried a group banner and sported green armbands, had been surrounded by police officers as they travelled by train from Southend to Basildon to protest at the Royal visit.

Officers escorted them to the town centre where they were told not to move from a defined space - or risk arrest.

But at 2.50pm five tried to break free and were arrested for a breach of the peace.

Big welcome - the Queen is greeted by flag-waving admirers on her seafront walkabout

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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