A SPECTACULAR Disneyland-style light festival has been proposed to help save Southend’s seafront and boost its recovery from the blow of Covid-19.

The event, named as the Southend Illuminations Festival of Light, could see the once-iconic illuminations resurrected into a free modern show for visitors to enjoy - with the potential added twist of water features, music and colourful lasers.

The borough’s illuminations, set up in the 1930s, shone bright, but were superseded by Blackpool’s famous lights and the darkness fell on Southend seafront in 2007.

But with the devastating blow of the pandemic, Conservative councillors pushed forward the motion at a full council meeting, saying the need to attract visitors back to the seafront and high street had never been more needed.

Councillor Tony Cox, who represents the West Shoebury ward, said: “Everyone knows what the illuminations are, they used to be very popular. But this won’t be quite the illuminations as we used to know them - this will be a modern day light show.

“These are used all over the world, and some of them are spectacular. You can project them onto buildings, use water elements to them, it really is magnificent.

“The first I saw of such a light show was at Disneyland Paris- both my kids loved it and to be honest so did I!

“We already have lighting columns which change colour, this is just a taste of what could be done.

“We have the sea, we have the water and this an event that could help with the recovery.”

Mr Cox has suggested that if the show were to be given the green light, a free ticket system could be used to keep guests socially distanced.

He continued: “You only have to see how popular the fireworks are, which have sadly had to be cancelled this year - if this isn’t something that can be done now, could it be something we do when restrictions are eased.

“This could be a cost-free ticketed event, meaning no more than six are allowed to utilise the ticket holders space along the seafront to keep people socially distanced. I really do hope this is something the council get behind.”

Deputy leader Ron Woodley, said: “This has come to cabinet for discussion - at that point we will make a decision as to where we go from here. It may be something we bring to a working party where councillors from all parties can discuss it there.”