RESIDENTS are asked not to be alarmed as there will be munitions testing near the Thames estuary.

The Shoeburyness Ministry Of Defence range will be carrying out the illuminating rounds activity on Wednesday and Thursday for nine hours at a time.

Harbour Master captain Susan Harrison said: “The activity involves the use of airborne munitions which are designed to illuminate large areas and therefore, members of the public may report repeated observation of distress signals/flares or similar up to 3km out to sea.

“All activity on the range is conducted in a strictly controlled environment and presents no danger to the public.

“This work, as with the vast majority of work undertaken on the site, is subject to suitable acoustic forecasts and tide times, which are governed by weather conditions on the day.

“Consequently, the date of the activity may be subject to change.”

Members of the public who are concerned by the activity can call 08000 560108.