WORK to give Clacton's seafront war memorial a £7,000 facelift starts today.

Tendring Council is paying for the much-needed makeover in time for the VE Day celebrations on May 8.

The scheme is due to be completed by the end of the month and the area will be reopened to the public for Victory in Europe Day.

Council spokesman Nigel Brown said: “It will be the first significant work to be carried out on the memorial for a considerable number of years and people will certainly notice a difference once it is complete.”