Proposed plans have been unveiled for a special New Year's Eve firework display in Southend as an event permit application is submitted.

An event permit application has been submitted to Southend Council for "seafront New Year's Eve fireworks."

The permit states it would be a "family-friendly event to bring the community together to celebrate 2024, going into the new year with a bang."

There are two displays proposed, with the first show between 6pm and 6:10pm for children, and a second show at midnight to 12:15am.

This comes after the success of the last eight weeks, which have seen the skies of Southend seafront lit up in an array of beautiful colours.

Seafront traders and sponsors put their hands in their own pockets to ensure the much-loved fireworks continued this year, which concluded on Saturday after eight weeks.

Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for culture, tourism, and business, welcomed the proposed event, and if approved, believed it would be a success.

He said: “The fireworks through the autumn have been a fantastic success, with thousands of people turning out for them each week.

“I am confident the same would be true of New Year's displays.

“Local businesses have seen a boost in footfall from people visiting for the fireworks, even as the weather has got colder, and we have got deeper into the ‘off season’.

“Displays like these are part of the administration's commitment to give people even more reasons to visit Southend, and I am incredibly pleased with the successes we've seen so far.”

If the event permit is approved, this would be the first time the seafront has hosted fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Mr Dent has hailed this as "a genuine innovation between the administration and local businesses."

The event would reportedly be organised by businesses, Southend Council, and the Southend Tourism Partnership if the permit gets given the green light.