NORTH Essex MP Bernard Jenkin joined four councillors for a night out in Colchester.

The Saturday night excursion was an opportunity for the five politicians to witness the night time economy and address how the Government can support the challenges this presents.

Colchester town centre’s nightlife has been a subject of controversy since it was featured in the Channel 4 documentary, Bouncers, last year.

There have also been a number of violent incidents in the Queen Street area of town.

Conservative MP Mr Jenkin joined Will Quince, leader of Colchester Council’s Tory group, Tim Young, the council’s Labour group leader and Gerard and Beverley Oxford, Independent representatives on the council, for the patrol.

The group also had a briefing on the town’s SOS bus which helps worse for wear revellers.

Mr Quince said: “Bernard is certainly going away with some ideas about how we can get support for the SOS bus and I think he was going to sit down with Colchester's MP Sir Bob Russell and work out how they can tackle this on a national level in terms of licensing laws.”

The trip came about after it was agreed at the last full meeting of Colchester Council MPs from the area should go on a walkabout of the night time economy.

A task and finish group has been set up by councillors to specifically look at the issue, write to businesses and support the town’s SOS bus.