Southend churches are collecting thousands of signatures to protest against plans for a supercasino in the town.

Churches Together in Southend, a collaboration between all the different churches in the town, will present the petition to Southend Council on Tuesday.

They were keen to voice their opposition before any decision was made on a possible supercasino in Southend.

Westcliff Casino has already expressed a controversial interest in building a casino, hotel and conference centre complex at its current site, which has stirred up heated debate. The churches have collected thousands of signatures.

Last Sunday alone, chairman Tony Castle collected 214 signatures in St George's Church, Ness Road, Shoebury.

Mr Castle said the churches were against a supercasino for a variety of reasons.

He said: "There are some who are against gambling. Others feel there are sufficient casinos in Southend."

Mr Castle said people were worried the Westcliff Casino proposal may open the door for other developments.

Southend Council leader Anna Waite said the council was about to launch a public consultation on whether Southend should be developed as a casino resort.

She added: "They are very welcome to present their petition, but it's a little ahead of time."