A BROKEN down coach which blocked part of Southend seafront this afternoon has been removed.

Motorists faced delays in approaching Western Esplanade for most of the afternoon because of the incident.

There were delays in both directions between the Pier Hill junction and the Shorefield Road junction because of a coach which broke down at around 1.30pm.

The coach was removed from the scene by 4.30pm.

Southend Council said all seafront car parks were full as residents flock to the seafront to enjoy the weather and asked visitors to park in car parks in the town centre.

There were also delays on the  A127 Southend bound from Rayleigh Weir.