The community is being urged to donate to charities close to the heart of Sir David Amess MP.

Today Southend will bid farewell to the late MP and the funeral service, led by Reverend Paul Mackay and Rev Monsignor Kevin William Hale, is strictly by invitation only.

Southend Council boss Ian Gilbert said people can pay their respects to Sir David by lining the streets as the hearse passes and by writing in the book of condolence at the Civic Centre before it closes at 7pm on Monday.

Sir David was tragically stabbed to death during an incident at Belfairs Methodist Church in October.

He had been holding a constituency surgery at the time.

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Residents who do wish to pay their respects are asked to please spread out along the procession route, wear a face covering if you are able to and respect social distancing measures.

The estimated timings are as follow:

• 12.15pm church bells will toll

• 1pm memorial service begins

• 2.10pm memorial service ends

• 2.15pm procession will begin from East Street

• 2.20pm approximately the horse-drawn hearse will pause at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue and pause for a minute or so to allow people to pay their respects

• 2.35pm approximately the hearse will pause at Iveagh Hall, Leigh Road and will pause again for a minute or two before returning to the chapel of rest for the evening

Sir David’s family have requested that, in lieu of flowers or other tributes, donations are made to the charities that he supported.

These include The Dog’s Trust, The Music Man Project, Prost8, Endometriosis UK, and the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue.

To donate, see www.justgiving.com/team/SirDavidAmess