PROTESTERS have set up camp in St Mary's churchyard, off Victoria Avenue, Southend.

About 25 protesters arrived on Sunday morning and a handful were still there this morning. Organisers say more people are on the way.

The group said it had taken action to fence off grave stones and a flower bed to protect it while they are camped there.

The group met outside the Odeon in Southend before walking to the churchard. It follows two "temporary" occupations late last year which ended after a couple of hours.

A spokesman said: "Occupy Southend looks forward to welcoming all permanent occupiers to what will surely be an important occupation."

Protester Martin Houston, 49, from Chelmsford, led the march towards the church blasting out music and speaking on a megaphone. He also wore the mask made famous by the film V for Vendetta, which has become an emblem for anti-establishment protest groups, and waved a huge flag as the group approached the church.

Essex Police will monitor the Occupy Southend protesters even though officers cannot move them on.

The Occupy movement is an international protest movement directed against economic and social inequality.

It says 1 per cent of the population holds control of the country.

Activisits have set up camps in towns and cities across more than 80 countries, including in New York and London.