A TWITTER spat erupted between two of Southend’s prominent leaders over the price and availability of parking in the town centre.

During the head-to-head, Adventure Island owner Philip Miller MBE and Southend Council boss James Courtenay clashed over whether there is enough affordable parking in the town centre.

During the spat, Mr Miller appeared to offer to buy up any available council land on which he would build a car park.

The debate began after a resident complained about the summer parking charges - which began in April 1 - taking the price of a two-hour stay in the town from £2.20 to £2.90 and more than £6 for four hours.

When Mr Courtenay became included in the conversation, he tweeted back: “Summer charging starts from 1st April every year..... this isn’t new.”

Businessman Mr Miller then weighed in, responding: “Killing off trade is never new to your administration James. I suppose it’s not your fault, just following orders as you do as leader?”

The spat then took off, with Conservative Mr Courtenay replying: “Why doesn’t @PhilipMillerMBE buy a car park?

“He doesn’t even provide staff car parking! Yet he has the front to complain that a family of four who pay £90 for a day out at @Adv_Island (plus food, drinks and incidentals, another £40 say) has to pay about 5% of that to park.”

The business boss then responded: “I do provide a staff car park actually.

“I would love to buy the Seaway car park for market price not the £1 you gave it away for then spent forever after defending your naivety in business.

“Apart from the Seaway, have the council any other land I could buy for a carpark?”

Mr Courtenay side-stepped that question, but responded: “In that same vein, didn’t we sell you Adventure Island for £0?” to which Mr Miller tweeted: “Don’t be daft.”

The council leader then replied: “I’m not. But let’s keep this going, do you care to tell residents of Southend how much did we sell you extra space for at the sea life centre?”

Mr Courtenay is standing for election May 2 in the Blenheim Park ward.

He will contest the seat alongside independent Keith Evans, Lib Dem Charlie Grosvenor, Labour’s Maxine Sadza and the Green Party’s Peter Walker.