SOUTHEND Council was tonight named Council of the Year 2012 at the Local Government Chronicle Awards.

The achievement made it third time lucky for the council, which was shortlisted for the same award last year and narrowly missed out on being named Most Improved Council of the Year in 2010.

The award was presented to Chief Executive Rob Tinlin and Council Leader Nigel Holdcroft at a special awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House in London's Park Lane.