FED-UP residents today demanded Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet are no longer "ignored" by Basildon Council.
Parish priest the Rev Ron Wiffen has accused the council of doing the two historic villages an injustice by classing them as part of Pitsea, rather than recognising their individual identities.
He believes roadside welcome signs on the major routes into both villages could go some way towards putting things right.
He said: "Both Bowers Gifford and North Benfleet are in my parish and the local people feel very strongly they should be recognised as such.
"Places such as Vange, Noak Bridge and Laindon have signs welcoming people to that particular area, but no such signs exist in either Bowers Gifford or North Benfleet.
"Places like Pitsea Crematorium are not actually in Pitsea, but Bowers Gifford, and they should be recognised as such."
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