COLOURFUL murals could be painted along Canvey’s sea defences as part of a new campaign to make the seafront more attractive.

Lifelong islander Kerry Flack, 43, of Brindles, Canvey, is trying to launch a new project to brighten up the island’s coastline by bringing the community together to paint murals of things that are important to them.

The scheme would see families, schools, businesses and charities sponsor a section of the wall and paint it with designs, such as family history, timelines or important events which have rocked the island, like the 1953 flood or the first Dutch settlements.

Historical landmarks, such as the casino amusements along Eastern Esplanade, have also been suggested as potential mural concepts.

Ms Flack said: “The whole seawall is essentially a blank canvas and yet it looks so dull and unattractive.

Sadly, it is graffiti artists who have decided to spray on it, but I don’t see why we couldn’t paint lovely murals all the way along to make it nicer.

“There is so much history on the island we could easily find subjects to paint.

“I know I would love to paint a family tree on there so I could take my grandchildren down there in years to come to show them and say, ‘we painted that’.”

It is hoped the project could also put an end to vandals spraying graffiti on the sea defences.

Murals have already been painted along a small section of Concord Beach, off Eastern Esplanade.

Ms Flack added: “It looks lovely along Concord Beach and to be honest that is where the idea came from.

“I think when areas are taken care of people really respect and appreciate it.”

In order for the plans to go ahead, permission would need to be sought from the Environment Agency, which is responsible for the defences.

Councillor Joan Liddiard, who represents Canvey South ward, said: “I think this is a wonderful idea. When the Friends of Concord Beach did the murals at Concord Beach they looked so lovely. I know a lot of people wondered why the same couldn’t be done further along, but it does take a lot of work. It needs someone to take command and steer the idea in the right direction.”

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “We would need to look at any individual’s suggestion before making any decision and would ask them to e-mail NCCC_KB@environmentagency.gov.uk or contact our national customer contact centre on 03708 506506.”