Youngsters at a Canvey school were today urged to get behind a scheme to revamp the island's seafront in time for the millennium.

Canvey 2000, a group of councillors, and local business people has already pumped more than £50,000 into restoring the seafront.

Chairman of the scheme, councillor Dennis Williams, talked to pupils at Furtherwick Park school at three special assemblies.

He said: "I told them what we were trying to do on the seafront and that we needed their help.

"I also spoke briefly about the small amount of vandalism that has occurred there and urged them to report anything they see to our security guards or the police.

"They are an important part of our community and we want them to come on board with us.

"In years to come, they can look back and say they were involved with the seafront's restoration."

Headteacher of the Furtherwick Road school, Chris Richardson, praised the initiative and the efforts put in by Mr Williams and the rest of the group.

He said: "The assemblies were very worthwhile for the pupils. Anything which improves the image of Canvey and makes it a pleasant area is beneficial to everyone.

"Mr Williams is a great leader and we have already have some of our youngsters working with him on the water feature on Eastern Esplanade. We have a very direct interest in the scheme because of this.

"The students were pleased to welcome him into the school and I think some of them will certainly be volunteering to help out."

A spokesman for Canvey 2000 is planning on talking to students from the other two senior schools on the island, Castle View and Cornelius Vermuyden.

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