TODAY'S spectacular picture of the day was sent in by Brian Knott, of Orlando in Florida.

He captured the vibrant shot of Southend Pier early in December from his hotel room during a visit back to the town he grew up in.

He wrote to the Echo: "I was raised in the Southend of the 1940s and 50s when the city was still in shock from WW2. 

"Grimy though it was in those days, my memories are filled with the warmth and joie de vivre of the recovery era. 

"My family was one of the many that sought a new life in Canada and we left en masse in January 1957.

"I was so impressed with the vitality of the new Southend I saw on my visit in early December. The many renovations and re-engineered road systems are a fit for the logic of a city on the move.

"The High Street was alive with the spirit of Christmas and I was even able to find a few old haunts from childhood days.

"The weather was superb, sunny and cool with excellent visibility. 

"I loved the pier and amusement area surrounding the entrance, perfect for young families.  I well remember  a young urchin hanging out at the "boating pool" there to examine the wreckage of a V2 rocket which made landfall nearby but failed to explode..

"Here is a photo of the now spectacular pier taken from my hotel room,  I won't wait so long to return again."

  • Got a picture you'd like to share? Send it to echo.letters@nqe.com.