SOUTHEND’S bid to become the next UK City of Culture was launched by the town’s top talent from the end of Southend pier.

The submission was sent off in style with a programme of music, drama and dance performed by local artistes at the Cultural Centre.

Southend councillor for culture and tourism Derek Jarvis: “Our bid to become the 2017 City of Culture will be sent off to the department for culture, media and sport electronically, at midnight tonight.

“We wanted to build up to the big moment with a celebration displaying the richness of the local arts scene.”

Artistes performed in front of the panoramic window at the pierhead Cultural Centre. The pier, estuary foreshore and Southend skyline formed a sunlit backdrop.

The line-up included trumpeter Digby Fairweather and guitarist Dominic Ashworth playing jazz in combo, two songs from Leigh Folk Festival organiser Tony Prior and members of the East 15 acting school with an excerpt from the play the Arrival.

Three-year-old Zicco, the youngest member of Southend-based Brazilarte, impressed the audience with a south American dance called the Capoeira.

And Southend Council itself fielded two singers from its staff at the Civic Centre, opera singer Katy Best and Emma Crampton.

Digby Fairweather said that City of Culture status would give “a tremendous fillip to Southend”.