Rarely will a balcony have received so much attention. Residents flocked to Billet Wharf in Leigh Old Town to see a rogue balcony demolished.

Ron Sverdloff was determined to see the wooden platform out in style after losing his battle with Southend Council to get retrospective planning permission.

But rather than getting even, he decided to throw a party to mark the removal of the contentious addition to his fisherman's cottage.

Residents from all over Leigh arrived after 7.30pm on Friday to enjoy the beer and bass barbecue provided by local fishermen.

Mr Sverdloff prepared to wave goodbye to his tiny balcony that has had so many politicians in a huff. Accompanied by the mournful tones of a lone trumpet, the balcony was torn from the house by a crane and dropped onto the beach.

As the crowd watched the separation, there were cries of "shame, shame on Southend Council!".

One wag, noting that with the balcony gone there was no protection outside the door, said: "I just hope he remembers it's not there in the morning."

The balcony's passing was then marked with the lighting of fireworks.

People had turned up in large numbers to show their support and treated the occasion as a good-natured rib at Southend Council.

Brian White said: "I thought the whole thing was hilarious. You wouldn't even know the balcony was even there.

"We don't need an excuse for a party, but it's one way to stick two fingers up to the council.

"It's like this all the time here. It's a thriving little community."

Mike Dolby said: "It's so stupid, it's unbelievable. I had never even noticed the balcony.

"It probably doesn't comply with modern health and safety standards, but neither does my foot.

"I think the party is great with a lot of people coming down. There's got to be over 100 people here."

Gareth Jones said: "I just feel sad about the whole thing. Ron is a wonderful character. It's a beautiful home and it was a wonderful balcony. He shouldn't have had to take it down. But tonight has been fantastic. Look at all these people. It really shows it's a community."

The evening proved to be a fitting end to Mr Sverdloff's fight to keep his balcony.

He had originally received planning permission for a railing outside his cottage, but had also added a small landing.

Mr Sverdloff, 64, later applied for permission to keep the balcony, but it was refused at first by Southend Council and later on at appeal by planning inspectors.

He is still at a loss why he wasn't allowed to keep it.

Mr Sverdloff said: "How it's out of keeping, I don't know.

"It's shameful beyond belief.

"It just makes my blood boil."