SOUTHEND councillors were warned not to attend a developer's champagne celebration because it could affect their judgment on other applications.

Borough solicitor John Williams sent an e-mail to councillors on the development control committee advising them not to attend the opening of Weston Homes' new flats, in Kenway, Prittlewell, on Monday.

The company was due to have a separate plan for a flats development in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, considered by the committee at a meeting two days later.

Mr Williams said: "I did not tell them specifically not to attend, but I advised them, in view of the fact an application by Weston Homes for development on Eastern Esplanade is being considered on Wednesday, I thought it advisable they did not attend.

"If any development control committee members went to the opening, then they should not under any circumstances discuss the Eastern Esplanade scheme with anyone from the developer. It was not an order, but left to members' own discretion."

Independent councillor Ron Woodley, who represents Thorpe ward, had previously raised his concerns about the invitation and members accepting hospitality from developers.

At the event, the mayor and only three other members of the council attended.

They were Conservatives Ann Holland and Chris Walker and Lib Dem Ric Morgan, none of whom are members of the development control committee. Tory councillor Ray Davy, who had not seen the e-mail, also attended, but when advised of the e-mail, he decided it was better to leave.