AN estate should get its own police and community advice centre by the end of the summer.

The drop-in centre is expected to open by September on the Vange 3/4 estate, which is due for a £14.5m redevelopment.

It will be a base for police but there will also be council and housing association staff to deal with queries and give advice on residents' rights and benefits.

Resident Jodie How, 26, from Pitseaville Grove, said: "It will be lovely to have a police office.

"I was going to sell up, but since the regeneration began things seem to be improving, so we are staying."

A police office was due to open last October, but Basildon Council says the project has been delayed while plans to intergrate an advice shop were devised.

Chris Ellison, managing director of Circle Anglia, which runs the estate, said it would increase estate security and give residents peace of mind. He said: "It will also be occupied by our staff, including community project workers, and community wardens."

Insp Steve Ditchburn said: "It means officers will be in a position to respond to incidents quicker. They will be on the doorstep and they will be able to help residents with the problems they face."

Tony Ball, Tory cabinet member for community safety, said: "Police and other agencies should be part of the community and this will enable much closer links."

Circle Anglia Housing Association moved to allay fears over delays in the revamp of the estate.

Mr Ellison said: "The redevelopment will provide brand new one and two-bed apartments and three-bedroom houses. Eighty-five of the planned 120 homes have been approved, however, plans for some of the sites were rejected and we are revising plans."