Daytrippers are set to give Southend traders a timely boost as Londoners are offered free c2c train tickets.

On Sunday August 27, residents in Barking and Dagenham will be given free c2c line train tickets to travel to the seaside for the day, courtesy of the Reede Road Tenants and Residents’ Association.

James Courtenay, councillor for the Blenheim Park Ward at Southend Council welcomed the initiative, which will bring new visitors and, as a result, additional trade to the seafront.

He said: “Anything like that is great as it gives people a chance to come down and spend their money here when they would usually go to London.

“There is a lot on the seafront, and if you are a young couple or a family there is plenty to do and explore further in town.”

Mr Courtenay also gave his recommendation for what visitors can do during their free day in Southend.

He added: “Get to the pier, I think. It is very easy as a resident to act blase about it but if you have not been on the pier before you have got to.”

Traders see it as a perfect opportunity to encourage more visitors down to the seafront.

Following last week’s deluge, a guaranteed boost in visitor numbers will be a huge boost for businesses towards the end of the month.

Colin Gray, the manager at Rossi Ice Cream in Chandlers Way, Southend said: “I think it is an excellent opportunity for businesses and as Rossi is iconic within Southend, we hope most visitors will want to come and visit to have an ice cream down on the seafront.”

Another classic part of taking a trip to the seaside is enjoying a traditional portion of fish and chips.

The Marine Parade is a hub for tourists and Neptunes Fish Restaurant hope that new visitors from Barking will want to come and pay them a visit.

A spokesman for the shop said: “It is great if we can get day trippers down to the seafront. The more the merrier, especially if it is raining.”