A historic seafront cliff lift has reportedly been cordoned off by police with officers patrolling the area.

Residents say Southend's Cliff Lift in Western Esplanade on the seafront was surrounded by the police tape and officers this morning.

One witness said: "It was there all night from midnight and when I left this morning for work at 9am"

Others joined worried discussion on social media about the reported incident.

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The landmark service opened in August 1912, and meant Southend residents and daytrippers no longer faced a clambering climb up the slopes of the cliffs in their Edwardian finery.

It used to be known as “the big lift from the seashore” and it originally had come about following daily complaints from tourists and local Southend residents and workers to the council, pleading for an easier way up the hill from the Western Esplanade.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are investigating an incident in Southend which was reported to us shortly before 10pm last night.

"Our initial investigations are focused on the seafront area. Detectives will be progressing their enquiries throughout the day."

Southend Council has been contacted for comment on the reported incident.