El Galeon at Southend Pier is a huge hit with visitors

Excited visitors queued to buy their tickets to see for themselves El Galeon in all its glory.

The 17th century Spanish tall ship replica has been a huge hit since it arrived at the head of Southend Pier on Wednesday May 24.

So much so, organisers decided to extend the visit by one week so more people had the opportunity to see it and it will remain until Sunday June 4.

Once aboard the railway, people looked pleased to have the chance to see the ship and enjoy the beautiful sunshine, which lit up Southend Estuary as we journeyed down the pier.

Happy visitors - Martin and Pam (Image: Newsquest staff)

Pam and Martin Kelley were enjoying ride having not experienced the new railway.

“It’s a lot less bumpy,” laughed Martin.

The couple were looking forward to seeing El Galeon.

“We have heard a lot about El Galeon and we’re excited to see it up close,” said Pam.

“It’s something a bit different for Southend, we wanted to come and see what it was like,” said Martin.

As we approached the end of the pier the ship appeared in all its glory.

The vessel launched in 2009 and spans around 49 metres and is a full-size copy of the ships from the 1600s.

Excited - Andrew and Judy Bazely (Image: Newsquest staff)

Andrew and Judy Bazely were one such couple waiting for their turn to enter.

I spotted Judy as I walked towards the ship and heard her gasp in shock when she saw it in all its glory.

“It looks very dramatic as you step off the train. It’s a lot bigger than I expected,” she said.

Military history fan Andrew was looking forward to see the ship close up.

“I’m interested in military history and when I heard El Galeon was going to be in Southend I wanted to see it,” he said.

Mum and daughter - Laura and Amy (Image: Newsquest staff)

Further down the queue were Laura Fitzgerald and daughter Amy.

Laura said: “There is a buzz here and people seem excited to see it. I think because it’s for a limited time it makes it more exciting.”

Admission – which is in addition to the usual pier charges – for adults cost £10, children aged five to 10 are £5, and a family-of-four ticket is £25. Children under 5 can visit for free.

Guests can book their passes in advance on the Southend Pier and Railway website.