A NATIONAL museum dedicated to one of south Essex's best-known companies is being planned by Southend Council.

Electrical company E K Cole - better known as Ekco - produced radios, televisions and other electrical appliances in its factory in Priory Crescent, Southend from its launch in 1926 until the Seventies.

At its peak, the company employed more than 1,000 people across the borough. It was taken over by Pye in the late Seventies.

Southend Council has dozens of Ekco radios in its collection at Prittlewell Priory, but is now looking for better examples to put on display.

There has been debate about the future of the collection and rumours it was to be transferred to a museum outside the town.

David Garston, Tory councillor responsible for culture, said: "Nothing could be further from the truth of any suggestion we are thinking of getting rid of the collection.

"The council's aim is to create the best Ekco museum there is anywhere in the country.

"The company was founded in Southend and was one of the biggest employers in the borough for many years.

"We have a good collection already, but among them there are a considerable number of duplicates.

"What we are now looking at is getting rid of some of the duplicates and fill in gaps which exist."

Mr Garston said: "I have seen proposals which will be going to the next cabinet meeting and they really are something of which Southend will really be proud."

He added the new museum would initially remain at Prittlewell Priory.

"In the long term, we would be looking at putting it into the new museum being planned to house the artefacts from the tomb of the Saxon King, which was, of course, next to the original Ekco works." he added.

l Did you work for Ekco? The Echo would like to hear your stories and memories. Call David Giles on 01702 321159, e-mail david.giles@nqe.com.