ROYAL loving residents across south Essex are preparing to show their support for the new King and Queen with lavish street parties.

Colourful bunting, music and entertainment will fill many streets across Castle Point, Southend and Basildon across the bank holiday weekend to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.

Verina Weaver, 66, is holding a vintage tea party at Eastwood Community Centre on Monday May 8 from 3pm.

She said: "We will have live singers and a theme of the Forties, Fifties and Sixties, and there will be Forties fancy dress.

"I think lots of people wil remember the last one and will be looking back and remembering that too.

"It's a lot of work but it's so worth it and it's a very long time since the last coronation. It's really important to mark it.

"We will make sure it's celebrated properly. My 21st birthday was the same day as the Queen's silver jubilee and I've always been a huge royalist."

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In Daws Health, families in Moorcroft Avenue will join the nation wide celebrations with a big street party.

Organiser Trish Trippett, 58, said: "We will get everyone involved, with tables, chairs and food and music.

"I am hoping for a big cardboard cut out of the King and there will be games and fun for children too.

"We will be in fancy dress in red, white and blue, it's a good chance to get together and meet our neighbours too."

She is planning on having an ice cream van with lots of sweet treats and said everyone's really looking forward to it.

Council's have been busy approving dozens of applications for street closures for the parties.

Gabriella Twine, 52, of Sandhurst Crescent, Leigh is expecting a big bash and said: "We will have raffle prizes, an ice cream van, games and music and a fire engine too.

"I am a bit worried about the weather and we really hope it holds out on the day. We should have about 130 people coming and the decorations are coming very soon too.

"It's great for the community and there will be a great atmosphere on the day, it's a chance to get together and get to know each other a bit more too."