A GROUP of Southend singers jumped on one of the weekend’s biggest trends and attracted a whopping 6,000 views in just 24 hours on a hit social media platform.

The Silver Darlings, Southend’s only all-female sea shanty crew, couldn’t resist joining the trend and six members performed Wellerman and put the video on TikTok during lockdown.

The move came after 26-year-old Scottish postman Nathan Evans’ rendition of the 19th century New Zealand folk song surpassed one million views on the social media platform over the Christmas period.

TikTokers have followed suit and incorporated the sea shanty favourite into their videos since, but the Silver Darlings were overwhelmed when their version of the tune was watched by more than 6,000 people in 24 hours.

Siobhan Williams, who is a member of the Southend group, said: “It came as a shock to see our video take off in the way it did.

“The sea shanty world is niche and we haven’t been able to rehearse in lockdown, so it was a nice way for us to come together in a different instance.

“The Wellerman is a whaling song and it was one of the Silver Darlings’ first shanties we learnt, so when we saw it trending on TikTok we wanted to get involved.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback and it’s great because none of us were users of TikTok before now.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Hoy Boy - Peter Purnell during one of his performancesHoy Boy - Peter Purnell during one of his performances

Sea shanties bring old fishing songs that were sung by sailors at sea to help get them through troubled waters back to life.

The Wellerman dates as far back as the mid-1800s and Siobhan, 52, is pleased to see sea shanties hitting the headlines because of the tune.

She added: “The Silver Darlings was started by Laura Tanner close to three years ago and we’re named after the term fishermen use for herring.

“We are meant to go to France this summer for a performance but the coronavirus pandemic may end those hopes.

“Nevertheless, it’s great that sea shanties are in people’s minds again.”

Another sea shanty fan is Peter Purnell, who also goes by the nickname Hoy Boy.

A member of the Hoy Shanty Crew, Peter has seen his rendition of the Wellerman close in on 1,000 views.

He cannot believe how popular sea shanty singing has become thanks to the wonders of modern technology.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Cheers - Peter Purnell is a member of the Hoy Shanty CrewCheers - Peter Purnell is a member of the Hoy Shanty Crew

The 39-year-old, from Canvey, said: “It’s gone crazy on TikTok and it’s fantastic because a lot of people didn’t know what sea shanties are.

“When I first got involved a few years ago, my friends didn’t know sea shanties existed.

“People are now saying 2021 is the year of the sea shanty and I’m really surprised but pleased.

“I’ve always been a sea shanties fan, even before I got involved, and it’s great to see songs like the Wellerman still popular 170 years later.”