Plans for futuristic high-rise flats on Westcliff seafront have been thrown out.

An application by developers Halo Homes to build the apartment blocks in the Leas, Westcliff, was rejected by nine votes to six by Southend Council development control committee.

The plans were for an empty plot of land between existing apartment block Admiral's Place and vacant Grosvenor House.

Those in favour were impressed with the "state-of-the-art" design.

The seven and 12-storey blocks of flats would have had a predominantly steel and glass exterior, along similar futuristic lines to the lookout tower on Pier Hill.