CANVEY Island Football Club's brand new signing will be flying high for the first time in Saturday's Nationwide Conference home game with Tamworth.

But just one thing has been clipping the wings of the Park Lane club's giant 6ft 6in gull mascot -- they're nicknamed The Gulls --which has been specially imported from the United States.

For club officials have so far been unable to decide on a name for their "big bird" newcomer .

Now Echosport, in conjunction with Canvey, are offering one fan the chance to "name that Gull" and win a host of prizes into the bargain.

If you can think of an apt name for the mascot all you have do is write your choice on a postcard or back of an envelope, add your name, age (if under 18), address and daytime contact telephone number and send it to "Name that Gull", Echosport, Newspaper House, Chester Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3BL.

You can alternatively e-mail your choice of name with your details to sports.echo@nqe.com putting "name that Gull" in the subject box.

All suggestions must be with Echosport by Tuesday of next week, November 22nd. A special judging panel of Canvey chief executive Keith Johnson, secretary Wayne Purser, manager Jeff King, Echo sports editor Paul Alton and his deputy Dick Marshall, our Canvey Island correspondent, will decide on the most appropriate name which the mascot will become officially known as.

The person coming up with the winning name will not only have the satisfaction of knowing that the new mascot will bear the name they gave it for many years to come.

They'll also be given two stand seats for Canvey's eagerly-awaited home clash with a Cambridge United side managed by former Southend United boss Rob Newman the following Saturday (November 26).

On that day they'll also receive a football personally signed by Canvey's first team stars and a colour photograph, to be taken at the Cambridge game, of themselves and Canvey's newly-named mascot.

Usual Newsquest Essex, terms and conditions apply for this competition and copies are available on request.