A PLANNED seafront parking space blockade by angry bikers failed to materialise today after fewer people turned up than expected.

South Essex motorcyclists warned up to 400 riders from as far away as Norfolk and Sussex would descend upon the seafront in protest at the lack of parking provision for them in City Beach.

The aim was to park as many motorbikes as possible in the standard car parking bays along Western Esplanade in a bid to cause enough disruption to force Southend Council to listen to their argument.

However, after only around 150 bikers showed up at its peak in the morning the action failed to cause any significant disruption.

Organiser Bartholomew Simpson, 36, of the Green Lane Cafe biker group hoped the mere presence of more than 100 leather-clad bikers would still get the council to agree to talks.