Golfers are set to swing their way into the next millennium with the news that a new nine-hole golf course is to be built in Southend.

The development follows the decision to lease out the Essex Golf Club at Eastern Avenue, Southend, to a local consortium.

The club has been rented out by Essex-based charity the Norman Garon Trust, and covers operation of the existing 18-hole course, clubhouse and golf driving range.

It also includes a new nine-hole course which is due to be built next year and should be open in time for the millennium celebrations.

The trust's letting agent, Ian Simpson of FPD Savills, said: "This letting demonstrates the true strength of the golf rental market as we were able to generate half a dozen well supported offers for consideration by the trustees."

A spokesman for the trustees' solicitors said: "The trust has invested a lot of time, effort and money into developing a first class golf facility and was therefore pleased at the substantial rental offers received which will enable development of a further nine holes to take place immediately.

"The trustees were also pleased that a local consortium was able to submit a competitive offer which will ensure that the trust's philosophy of providing a high quality facility for local people is achieved."

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