Basildon and Southend councils should be ashamed of the money they have wasted on the Queen's visit, an action group has claimed.

The Essex arm of the Movement Against the Monarchy has planned demonstrations along the route of the Queen's visit to the two towns today.

It claims the Royal family wastes taxpayers money on extravagant luxuries and drains resources which could be put to better use.

A spokesman for the group - who just gives a post box address - said Southend Council should be ashamed of the money it has wasted on the visit, which comes just weeks after the closure of old people's homes and reduced funding for a children's refuge.

The spokesman said: "After wasting thousands on the useless Bell Tower in St Martin's Square in Basildon that no-one wants or needs, hundreds more will be wasted on flying the Royal parasites into the district and the pageants involved.

"Southend Council has spent ratepayers' money on thousands of flags to line the seafront - a fact they should be ashamed of, having closed rest homes, reduced funding to a refuge for abused children - all supposedly due to a lack of funds."

The Movement Against the Monarchy was formed two years ago to oppose the Royal family.

It also claims to have grown from 27 members who marched on Prince Charles' house to thousands who joined a march on Buckingham Palace last summer.

Conservative MP for Southend East and Rochford, Sir Teddy Taylor , has already condemned the activists after flyers publicising the march were posted around Southend and Basildon.

Marchers plan to gather outside the Odeon cinema in Southend at 10am on Friday and disrupt the visit in both Southend and Basildon.

A Basildon Council spokesman said: "The visit of HM the Queen and Prince Philip is a wonderful tribute to the 50th anniversary of the New Town.

"The St Martin's bell tower, which has already attracted interest from across the world and is set to be a major tourist attraction, has been entirely funded by the Millennium Commission and private donations.

"Some efforts are being made to make the Basildon Centre as spick and span as possible, but all works were due to be done anyway.

"For most residents it's a marvellous occasion, it's just a shame some people are pouring cold water on the visit."

Leader of Southend council Graham Longley, said: "The sums of money we are spending on the Queen's visit are minute compared to the ongoing costs of the services he is talking about.

"It is disappointing people cannot see that such visits have far-reaching effects such as a terrific boost to tourism."

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