A BENCH especially designed for wheelchair users has been unveiled on Canvey seafront after a volunteer donated her jewellery to pay for it.

Friends of Concord Beach have installed the picnic bench in the Lifeguard Memorial Garden at the seafront.

Working with Castle Point Council, it has also installed a large water butt to collect rainwater from the toilet block roof.

The group of volunteers have also planted three ornamental trees, bushes to form a hedge alongside the road and extra planters for flowers.

Volunteer Cindy Letchford, of Maurice Road, sold her gold jewellery to get the cash to pay for the bench.

She said: “I am aware of the difficulties experienced by wheelchair users.

“I was looking through my jewellery box and realised there were items which were broken or I no longer wear.

“Watching “Flog It” on television I realised gold was going up in value and decided to sell the items to get money for the bench.

“I hope it will bring happiness to those that use it,”

Friends of Concord Beach will be installing another bench this weekend.

It is octagonal with four seats and four spaces for wheelchairs or buggies.