SECURING investment for a Southend Marina has long been championed by Sir David Amess.

The Southend West Conservative MP enlisted Paul Gilson to help pin point which part of the borough’s long coastline would be the ideal spot.

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The MP has also pitched for Southend to become a city and the two ambitions could be intertwined.

Sir David said: “I very much want Southend to become a city and although it is certainly not a requirement, I feel that a marina could do nothing but enhance the area. I would leave it to others to decide the best place for a marina, but we most certainly do have a number of ideal locations.

“Such a project would unquestionably be a boost to Southend, it would provide employment opportunities and help the tourism industry generally.

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"A hotel, restaurants and nautical-based shops could nestle around the marina. I think for many people from a wide field, keeping a vessel in a local marina would be an enormous benefit.”