WE often hear Southend is an expanding town – but now that phrase has taken on a whole new meaning.

The number of boob jobs across the borough has rocketed and to cope with the demand a new dedicated cosmetic surgery unit has been set up to offer easier access to a greater choice of treatments.

The Spire Wellesley Hospital in Southend has seen a 50 per cent rise in the number of patients opting for breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures in the last three years.

Patients can even choose to have a boob job and return home the same day, which hospital bosses say is particularly appealing to younger women.

Scarlet Kemp, 22, of Collins Way, Leigh, went under the surgeon’s knife at the Wellesley to increase her 34A/B cup size to a 34DD cup.

She said: “I had thought about having it done for five years. I had saved up the money, and as it was available down the road, I thought why not. Quite a few of my friends have had it done and they are all about my age.”

Miss Kemp said she was pleased with the results from the hour-long procedure which cost her £4,600 and involved an overnight stay in hospital.

She added: “The difference is amazing. I have so much more inner confidence and they look so natural. I can now buy tight-fitting v-neck tops and carry off the latest fashions without having to cover up in baggy jumpers.”

Wellesley spokeswoman Natalie Lyndon said many women did not have the time to stay in hospital overnight and the surgeries were becoming more popular.

She said: “Women aged from 18 to 35 are busy working and do not have time to spend time in hospital. It depends on a case-by-case scenario. Some like to fit it in with their busy schedules, but some others like to benefit from an overnight stay.”

Phoenix Hospital in Westcliff has also seen a large increase in the number of people having cosmetic surgery, and in particular breast surgery.

Charlie Wood, managing director, said: “It seems women still want to make the best of themselves and any cosmetic surgery has become a commonplace activity to enhance their appearance “Our figures show a 75 per cent increase in cosmetic surgery over the last two years and breast surgery an increase of 77 per cent.”