Determined council leader Graham Longley has refused to be put off by bookies' odds on Southend being awarded city status to mark the millennium.

Betting shop chain William Hill has given the town - the largest urban area in Essex - odds of just 28/1 on being made a city.

Southend is behind two Essex towns in the race for the rare distinction - Chelmsford's odds stand at 16/1 and Colchester's are 20/1.

Mr Longley, Lib Dem councillor for Blenheim ward, insisted: "Outsiders often have a habit of coming from behind to win the race.

"Clearly we are a good each-way bet, and have been given better odds than some key rivals and larger towns such as the northern seaside resort of Blackpool - with odds of 33/1 and Luton, a unitary authority, also at 33/1.

"I am confident that we have a lot of good things happen in our town which give us a strong case to be made a city. Rest assured, however, we won't be laying a bet from the council's budget on the outcome!"

Council officials were in quietly confident mode last week when the borough's bid was sent to the Home Office.

Meanwhile, townsfolk dressed as Roman cavalryman helped to launch the submission from Britain's oldest recorded town, Colchester.

Mr Longley has wished every contender the best of luck with their bid, but stressed: "It's certainly not over for Southend."

A total of 39 towns across the country have bid to become a city. William Hill's odds make Guildford in Surrey 10/1 favourite to be granted the status.

A town called Machynlleth and Saint Asaph Town Council are joint last with odds of 50/1.

The last time the Queen announced new cities was in 1992 when the town's bold bid lost out to Sunderland.

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