On Friday 11 December, Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, attended a number of Christmas light turn ons to celebrate the lead up to Christmas.

Firstly, Sir David was joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, Cllr Dear and Cllr Ayling at the annual switch on at the Woodcutters Arms. Although the usual crowds were not able to be present, the Christmas tree decorations were made by the students at Fairways School.

Sir David also joined the Mayor and Mayoress at the Civic Centre and then attended a switch on at Iveagh Hall Conservative Club and Cooper Lingard in Leigh, where he was joined by the Chairman of Leigh Town Council Cllr Paul Gilson, Cllr Georgina Phillips, Cllr Andy Wilkins and Cllr Douglas Cracknell.

Commenting Sir David said, “I was absolutely delighted to be able to attend these events and celebrate Christmas despite everything that is going on this year. I would like to thank everyone involved who made it possible and I wish everyone in Southend a very merry Christmas and a much better new year.”