Buckingham Palace has upset Southend councillors by announcing the Queen will not see the seafront during her first visit to the town.

Council leader Graham Longley said he was "disappointed" the Royal party would not be visiting the Golden Mile.

Councillors admitted they were puzzled by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's itinerary for March 12.

Deputy council leader Chris Dandridge said: "It seems strange that anyone should visit Southend without visiting the seafront.

"It would be like going to London and not going to Trafalgar Square."

Chairman of the Southend Pier Museum, Peggy Dowie, said it will be a great shame if the Queen comes to Southend and misses the pier.

She said: "Anyone who comes to Southend visits the pier - it is a place they go to.

"It is great the Queen is coming to Southend at all, but I feel the pier is the main feature of Southend, and we have had royalty visit in the past."

Mr Longley said: "Hopefully, we are going to suggest they go for a drive along the seafront, but we will welcome them here regardless."

The Royal party will arrive by helicopter at Southend Airport at about 10.30am before heading off to meet the mayor and other civic officials.

The Queen will tour Customs and Excise, while the Duke of Edinburgh visits Keymed in Stock Road before meeting up at South East Essex College.

Medical instruments giant Keymed has recently invested millions of pounds in a new manufacturing centre, with the creation of 100 jobs.

South East Essex College last year took a step towards university status by offering undergraduate degree courses.

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