SOUTHEND has struck up new links with a seaside town in sunny Florida, USA.

The town has agreed a “three-way” association with Lake Worth, which also has a pier and major regeneration plans.

The third town in the arrangement is Sopot, Poland, which is twinned with Southend.

At the moment, the link-up is focusing on strengthening cultural and artistic links between Southend and Lake Worth, but there are also plans to build bridges between the town’s schools and businesses.

The association was the idea of Westcliff businesswoman Anna Heim, 49, who started the Three Way Split project to develop links between the three resorts.

Mrs Heim envisaged a “creative and cultural exchange programme” between the towns after meeting Lake Worth lecturer, Suzanne Mulvehill, while studying at the University of Essex’s business school in Southend.

Ms Mulvehill is now an elected commissioner for Lake Worth and visited Southend in June and October when she met councillors Graham Longley and John Lamb plus businessmen.

Mr Lamb, the council’s Tory deputy leader, said: “Lake Worth would like to do a tripartite twinning with us and Sopot.

“We can’t do a formal twinning at the moment, but we are happy to work with them and share our cultural experiences and opportunities. So it’s very low-key and informal.

“We have lots of things in common. They’re a seaside resort, they have a pier and a big cultural element, which is trying to bring about regeneration.

“We’re just trying to work together and help each other “If any member wanted to go over there, they would have to go on their own expenses.

“If we had an arts festival, we could encourage their artists to come over here and vice-versa “In the long term, we could find that businesses are attracted to the area.”

Among the achievements of the project are developing links between the town’s schools, with a view to starting a scholarship exchange programme, as well as promoting cycling and environmental issues.

Mrs Heim, of Canewdon Road, Westcliff, said: “We thought it would be a good opportunity to share ideas and all sorts of things in the future.

“It’s not just about the arts. It also covers education, business, tourism, leisure, sports and the environment. The important bit for me is looking at the social and economic regeneration aspect of the project.

“It’s very early days in the project and it’s open to anyone who wants to engage.”