Plans for the Southend-on-Sea memorial funeral service for Sir David Amess MP have been announced.

The service will take place at St Mary’s Church, Prittlewell, on Monday and be led by Rev’d Paul Mackay and Rev Monsignor Kevin William Hale.

It will be a family affair and strictly invitation only.

Following the service, the casket will be carried in a horse-drawn hearse through Southend’s streets, pausing outside the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue and Iveagh Hall, Sir David’s Southend West Conversative Constituency office, in Leigh Road.

Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend council, said: “We understand residents want to pay their respects to our much-loved Sir David and although for security reasons, we are unable to invite the public into the church for the service, there are other ways for people to pay their respects.

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“It will be an incredibly emotional day and although Sir David’s family are keen for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time, they understand there are many others in the City who knew and loved him.

“Residents can also pay their respects by lining the streets of Southend as the hearse passes and writing in the Book of Condolence at the Civic Centre before it closes at 7pm.”

Residents who do wish to pay their respects are asked to spread out along the procession route, wear a face covering if you are able to and respect social distancing measures.

The estimated timings are as follow:

• 12.15pm - church bells will toll

• 1pm - memorial service begins

• 2.10pm - memorial service ends

• 2.15pm - procession will begin from East Street

• 2.20pm approximately - the horse-drawn hearse will pause at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue and pause for a minute or so to allow people to pay their respects

• 2.35pm approximately - the hearse will pause at Iveagh Hall, Leigh Road and will pause again for a minute or two before returning to the chapel of rest for the evening.

The service will mark the final day the Book of Condolence will be open for people to leave a written tribute to Sir David.

The Book is in the Jubilee Room at the Civic Centre in Victoria Avenue and will be open for the last time, until 7pm on Monday 22 November.

There will be another funeral service for Sir David, the following day Tuesday 23 November in Westminster Cathedral.