A PROMINENT estate agent and property developer has quit his post as a director of the company spearheading Southend's regeneration.

Mike Gray, managing director of Dedman Planning and Regen- eration, resigned his directorship of Renaissance Southend after three years.

His move comes just weeks after readers on the Echo's website raised concerns about a director of Renaissance Southend being linked with development companies.

Mr Gray's company is representing John Remblance, the man who wants to build the huge Marina Plaza leisure complex in Marine Parade, Southend.

Mr Gray insisted his decision to step down had been made purely on the grounds of the increasing amount of time taken up by his work on Renaissance Southend.

Renaissance Southend has launched ambitious plans to revamp Southend seafront and the town centre with new shops, homes and businesses.

Mr Gray added: "I have been delighted to assist in the setting up of Renaissance Southend during its first three years of operation.

"I always intended not to stand for a second period of office as the time commitment has become more demanding.

"Following the initial period setting up the operation, it has now become much more involved with the regeneration of the town."

Renaissance Southend chief executive Mike Lambert said three directors of the company stood down each year in rotation.

He added: "Mr Gray has said he is standing down with immediate effect and another director, Neil Bates of Prospects College, does not wish to stand for re-election.

"The vacancies on the board will be advertised and a search committee of existing directors will be going through them before the final decision on appointing new directors is made at the annual meeting in September."

John Lamb, deputy leader of Southend Council, will replace Murray Foster as the council's representative on Renaissance Southend. Mr Foster lost his seat on the council at the local elections.