East End hard man turned best-selling author Mad Frankie Fraser left his mark on the people of Southend.

The 75-year-old was at Hammicks Bookshop in the Royals shopping centre to sign copies of his second book titled Mad Frank and Friends.

A large crowd queued to secure his autograph during his two hour session at the store.

The one-time gangland villain has had plenty of time to think about penning his memoirs having spent a total of 42 years inside various prisons.

Meanwhile hundreds of shoppers waited patiently to catch a glimpse of soap star Paul Usher as he reopened the new look Littlewoods store in Southend.

Paul, best known as Barry Grant in Brookside, cut the ribbon to the revamped shop in the Royals shopping centre following a £1 million investment programme.

As the crowd waited, prizes were awarded and balloons and raffle tickets were handed out.

Paul Usher picked the winning ticket out of a bag and the person with the lucky number bagged a £100 Littlewoods voucher.

He also awarded one special woman with the title of Home Hero against four finalists chosen in a competition run by This is Essex partner the Evening Echo.

Winner Christine Rouse took home £300 of vouchers and a luxury weekend away. All the finalists won an outfit and were presented with champagne and flowers.

Worth the wait - Mad Frankie and fans

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.