NIGHT flights at Southend Airport must be scrapped, an MP has insisted as residents continue to battle sleepless nights.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, has written to Southend Council leader Ian Gilbert pleading for his support for the sake of residents.

The controversial Amazon night flights have been the topic of heated debate since they launched in October 2019.

The airport has permission for 120 night flights per month, but insists the number of flights is regularly much lower.

Council bosses have admitted it would be “very difficult” to get the flights scrapped.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “The airport are working inside their targets, and are not breaking the law.

“I emphasise with those who live nearby, but if the night flights are banned, there would be next to no flights leaving at the moment. With the financial struggles and tough times they are facing, I don’t see the airport making that move.”

In November, Mr Jones insisted the night flights would remain overnight,despite a lack of departures during the day due to the pandemic.

David Smith, who lives off Manners Way, claims he is woken up roughly four times a night by the The 70-year-old, said: “It’s impossible to sleep. We’re all disturbed along here.

“Some of the aircraft are 27 years old, they’re not set up to make minimum noise.”

But airport bosses insist night flights have decreased since this time last year.

Figures, seen by the Echo, revealed there were 127 night flights departing the airport in March last year, compared to just 78 last month.

Sir David Amess MP added: “I have written to the leader of the council saying that I would be calling for night flights to be banned at Southend Airport and asking the council for their support.”