Hundreds of visitors flocked to Canvey's seafront when it came alive with the sound of music.

About 600 people packed Eastern Esplanade to listen to a number of singers performing on the bandstand.

The music, organised by Canvey 2000, a group restoring the seafront for the millennium, entertained visitors for the afternoon.

Chairman of the scheme, Dennis Williams, was overjoyed with the musical extravaganza.

He said: "I could not believe my ears when I first heard these singers.

"They were true professionals. Some of them have been singing at the London Palladium.

"They came from all over the place, including north Essex, Kent and London.

"It was the first time any of them had ever sung outside at a seafront venue and they were simply out of this world.

"There were people everywhere, sitting on the benches, grass slopes and on the pavement.

"We even had people driving past who stopped their cars to listen.

"It really bought the seafront to life."

The afternoon also helped raise money for the scheme, when a couple of people gave cash to sponsor a new bench.

Improvements carried out on the seafront already include new flower beds, block paving and Victorian-style street lights.

Plans are also in the pipeline for a visitors information centre, boating lake and picnic areas.

Mr Williams added: "It was just a brilliant day. These singers went down a storm.

"The whole seafront was echoing with the music and we even had people come up from Thorney Bay caravan Park further down the seafront. They had heard the music from there and came to see what was going on."

More acts are lined up for the bandstand every Sunday for the next four weeks.

The entertainment will include dancers, singers and comedians and will take place from 2pm until 6pm.

Donations can be made to Canvey 2000 at the NatWest Bank in the island's High Street.

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