A message in a bottle written by a Basildon Council workman has been unearthed - more than 20 years after it was buried.

Mitch Bouette, 32, found the bottle near a manhole cover next to the roundabout at the junction of Uppermayne, Nicholas Lane and Cranes Farm Road, Basildon.

It was penned by "Tony", 19, on a time sheet used by Basildon District Council's Highways and Sewers Section.

It read: "I don't know what year it will be when you find this, but now it is November 25, 1986."

The note was buried three days before Mike Tyson won his first world boxing title by flooring Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas.

"We have just built this manhole (sorry, access chamber) and renewed the pipes as they were full of roots."

He also mentions his workmate "Bob" and signs off by saying "Hope you have fun reading this!"

Mitch, of Hockley Road, Basildon, said: "I was walking through the underpass when I saw this bottle sticking out of the ground.

"I couldn't pull it out so I broke it and found the message inside and after sitting on it for a few weeks my parents persuaded me to bring it to the paper."

l Were you building a manhole on Tuesday November 25, 1986? If Tony or Bob are still in town we would love to hear from them. Call the newsdesk on 01268 469396.