BEACH volunteers have been working tirelessly to spruce up the seafront in time for summer.

Members of the Friends Of Concord Beach group have been painting over rusty parts of the seawall on Canvey.

The specialist paint, donated by Castle Point Council, adds to an array of seawall murals designed by the volunteers to brighten up the seafront. The group has also installed 100 benches, made using recycled plastic, for islanders and visitors.

It adds to £141,000 pledged by the council to get the Concord Beach paddling pool up to scratch, with new safety railings added.

Colin Letchford, chairman of the group, has also added sand around the pool to create a manmade beach.

Mr Letchford said he is delighted with progress made to get the island ready for its booming summer trade.

He said: “We have been working to add new benches, spruce up the seawall and clear paths of weeds.

“Castle Point Council deserves a lot of credit too for providing the paint and for their work with the paddling pool. They will be adding safety railings to stop youngsters falling.”

Mr Letchford added that a pathway by the pool has been raised in height. A gap near the beach cafe entrance, which allowed the sand to be washed away, has been filled in.

The former town and borough councillor carried out his own report in 2015 over concerns about the safety of the pool. This led to its temporary closure.

Work has also been going on to restore neighbouring Thorney Bay, in Western Esplanade, by clearing its section of the seawall of graffiti, as well as clearing the beach of litter and adding benches and plants.

Demand from seafront visitors has increased so much that a neighbouring car park will be extended from 20 spaces to 60.

Traders toasted a tourism boom on Canvey seafront as families look for an alternative.

As space on Southend’s seafront becomes few and far between and traffic gets congested, islanders believe visitors are now opting for Canvey’s beaches instead.

For more information, visit friends-of-concordbeach.co.uk.