TORY councillors are demanding a rethink of a decision to shut a budget airline base at the airport.

Southend Conservatives say the council must consider trying to convince easyJet to reverse it's decision to shut its Southend Airport base.

The councillors have called on the council to act. A motion will be debated by the full council next Thursday.

It says: "The announcement by easyJet to withdraw all flights out of Southend Airport is a massive disappointment and setback not only for the many employees of the airline but also for the associated small businesses and trades such as service Companies, logistics operators and retail outlets (hotels and shops) in and around Southend.

"For many, the loss of employment will outweigh any enhanced redundancy package offered by EasyJet and for thousands more the loss of a convenient andexpeditious transit through an airport which has been voted “best small airport “ on many occasions will bring frustration and sadness.

"This council therefore resolves that it should note with regret the announcement by easyJet or engage with EasyJet to explore the possibility of reversing the decision of closing Southend Airport as a base and to reinstate its operations to enable the Airport to realise its commercial vision, to provide essential employment to local residents and to give south Essex the much needed economic recovery post Covid-19."

The airline stopped flights from the airport from September 1.