A HORSE-DRAWN carriage will lead a procession through Southend ahead of a service in honour of Sir David Amess.

The service will be held on November 22 at 1pm at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell.

Residents are being warned of road closures, with more details set be announced soon.

Sir David died during a constituency surgery in Leigh on October 15 and a suspect has appeared in court charged in connection with murder and terrorism.

The Southend service will be followed by a funeral the next day at Westminster Cathedral.

John Lamb, Conservative councillor for West Leigh, said it will be a fitting tribute to the late MP.

He said: “We know a borough service will be held on November 22 at 1pm at St Mary’s Church in Prittlewell. Details and plans are still going through.

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“We have been talking to the family and what they want and have got the right people involved. It will be a joint service with the Roman Catholic Church and Church of England. The route will be advertised and there will be stop points so people can pay their respects.

“There probably will be road closures and there will be a horse-drawn hearse so we will need road closures. It will be a fitting service to Sir David.”

He said it is good plans have been drawn up so quickly and that it is so important people in the borough have a chance to pay their respects and say their goodbyes.

It comes as Ali Harbi Ali, 25, who is charged with murdering the Conservative MP and preparing acts of terrorism between May 1, 2019, and September 28 this year appeared in court.

According to a draft indictment, Ali engaged in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack, including addresses associated with MPs and the Houses of Parliament.

He also allegedly made internet research relating to targets to attack.

On Friday, Ali appeared at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing by videolink from Belmarsh prison.

Wearing a pale blue jumper, Ali spoke only to confirm his name.

The judge Mr Justice Sweeney set a preparatory and plea hearing for December 21.

A provisional trial date has already been identified for March 7 next year.

Following the brief hearing, the defendant was remanded into custody.

Ali is accused of travelling by train from his home in Kentish Town, north London, to attend Sir David’s surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church.

During the meeting, he allegedly produced a large knife from his pocket and allegedly repeatedly stabbed Sir David.

The veteran MP was pronounced dead at the scene.