Arriva had a splendid idea to name its buses after local celebrities.

The chosen ones were the selection of a group of Southend residents, but Arriva was obviously responsible for the final choices.

Regrettably, of those chosen, only Procol Harum were worth a mention. We had a local pop group, a little- known comic and an equally little-known television celebrity.

There were two disc jockeys from a minor commercial radio station, two others whose names were unknown to Arriva or to the Echo when I asked their identities.

I’d have suggested Louis Voss, Nancy Mount, Sid Uren, Howard Baker, Archibald Glen, Fred Laws, Teddy Taylor, Eddie Blackwell, Digby Fairweather, Trevor Bailey and John Lloyd, all names which will be remembered long after those others have disappeared from the sides of the buses.

Bill Norris
Tolgate
Thundersley