SOUTHEND Hospital’s iconic staff and serpent mosaic could be painted over as part of a major redevelopment.

The greek mosaic on the front of the Sixties outpatient tower block, could go as part of plans to refurbish the main entrance and the outpatient department.

Three designs have been suggested to patients to vote on as part of a consultation, which include painting the front of the block in different colours.

But although the snake mosaic is not deemed high art, many passers by said they didn’t want to see it go.

Taxi driver Dennis Cater, 59, from Hullbridge, said: “It is an icon of this hospital and it has been around for years.

“As a taxi driver I come here a lot and whenever people want to be taken to the hospital they always ask to be dropped off by the snake.

“It could do with brightening it up a bit and a bit of a clean if anything, but I don’t think it is a good idea to paint over it because it would look very plain.”

Another taxi driver Dave Watts, 68, from Benfleet, said: “I think it is disgusting because it is just part of the hospital and it has been for years.

“It could do with a spotlight on it.”

Artist, Mark Massey, from Westcliff, said: “I remember the snake mural as being slightly scary when I was a small child, but now it’s a piece of Southend’s history and should remain.

“The hospital needs modernising, but I am sure the snake could be incorporated into any re-design. Besides, it adds a touch of colour, is a relevant icon and is quite a striking graphic image.”

The mosaic depicts Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine who is represented by a staff with a serpent coiled around it, which is a symbol of the modern medical profession.