Southend United are giving away free T-shirts and flags in an effort to bolster public support for their new stadium plans.

The club wants to encourage people to write to Southend Council and Rochford District Council in favour of the planned 22,000-seater stadium, hotel, flats and shopping complex.

The club is giving away flags and T-shirts saying Support the Stadium, which people can collect from the ticket office and shop at Roots Hall.

The T-shirts are available in a variety of sizes in either white or navy blue.

David Scriven, the club's media manager, said: "We want to raise awareness of the application so people can get behind the town and show their support. It doesn't have to be just football fans.

"This is going to be such a great thing for the town and it will put Southend on the map."

Chairman Ron Martin urged people to not only write to Southend Council, which will decide on the new stadium, but also to Rochford District Council, which will assess the club's application for a replacement training ground in its territory.

A report to Rochford District Council has warned that overall plan, including retail development, could affect local shops.

Mr Martin said: "It is hugely important that Rochford District Council understand the support people are giving this project."

The application for a replacement training ground includes four pitches together with car parking on match days only.

* To comment on the training ground application, write to Mr Scrutton, head of planning and transportation, Rochford District Council, Council Offices, Rochford, SS4 1BW.

For the stadium application, write to the director of technical services, Southend Borough Council, PO Box 5558, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ZF.