SUN-WORSHIPPERS have been flocking to the new-look Shoebury East Beach after it underwent a £350,000 makeover.

Southend Council has added a 175-space car park and barbecue area to the popular spot, including special ash bins for people to dispose of their used barbecues safely.

Extra bollards have been put up to stop boy racers tearing along the approach roads, and the toilets have also been refurbished.

An impressive children’s playground has also been installed on the grass verge and there are a series of new wooden benches and barbecue facilities.

Tory ward councillor Roger Hadley said: “We now have two acres of car parking and ten acres of open space, whereas before it was a 12-acre car park, and there were those mad individuals who would drive around like idiots, which meant people couldn’t use the space.

“Now it’s a ten-acre safe play area and now every weekend you can see people playing cricket, rounders and football, it’s lovely.”

When Hinguar Primary School relocates in September 2012, the school playing fields, which border the beach, will be turned into another new play area.

The introduction of the barbecue pitches has already been proving popular, and Mr Hadley believes East Beach is the first beach in Essex to offer the innovation.

He said: “The picnic areas have been so successful and we will be putting in more barbecue spaces, so there is one for every table.

“Some of the Essex parks have them, but I don’t know of any other beaches that do. It will help attract people I’m sure.

“Because the beach is off the seafront it’s a more tranquil area and as such is different to the rest of the Southend seafront.

“It means the whole family can enjoy themselves down there, and it’s free, that’s the beauty of it.”

There are hopes the new facilities will help put Shoebury more firmly on to the tourism map by drawing in new visitors.

Mr Hadley said: “It will benefit the whole economy in Shoebury because shops will get extra trade and there could be a new cafe restaurant in place by next summer.”

The council has been in talks with local residents’ associations over the installation of volleyball nets, which could also be used by youth groups keen to run sports sessions for children in the school holidays.

Mr Hadley said: “In all it has been a 100 per cent success. When you go down there and see everyone enjoying themselves it’s wonderful.

“The whole area has become really multicultural and it’s amazing how many people are coming down to it now.

“At the weekend it was like sitting next to the Mediterranean, just without such a blue sea!”