SOUTHEND United have settled their tax debt and a winding-up petition against them has been dismissed in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court.

The Shrimpers had been given more time to settle an outstanding debt of almost £500,000 to HM Revenue and Customs at an adjourned hearing in September.

Chief ICC Judge Briggs was told at a remote hearing by a lawyer representing Blues that all debts had been paid in full on Wednesday morning.

The winding-up petition had been adjourned for a fourth time last month to allow Southend to continue repaying the debt in instalments.

However, Blues still remain in trouble on the pitch and sit bottom of the League Two table having failed to win so far this season.