Ambitious council bosses are hoping to convince the cream of the world's developers to back the £900million rebuild of Basildon at a conference in Cannes.

Basildon Council is jetting leader Malcolm Buckley, two other councillors and its chief executive to a four-day property exhibition at the luxury resort in the south of France.

Representatives from Thames Gateway South Essex, Thurrock Council and Renaissance Southend are also attending the trip, estimated to cost £1,500-a-head including flights and accommodation.

Basildon's ruling Tory group hopes the trip will help secure multi-national developers for its town centre projects in Basildon, Wickford and Pitsea.

However, it has been labelled an "over indulgent jolly" by opposition councillors.

Mr Buckley said: "We are talking about investment of almost a billion pounds in Basildon alone, so if we can attract investors with this sort of money it is a small price to pay.

"This is the next step on from our successful Invest in Basildon' event in London and we are now tendering across Europe for a single contract for the Basildon regeneration.

This event gives the ideal opportunity to showcase Basildon to the world's top developers."

The plush conference will be held in the Palais des Festivals, where councillors can mingle with some of the most influential property tycoons in the world.

Speakers include Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Easyjet boss Stelios Haji-Ioannou and international architect Daniel Libeskind.

Basildon Labour group leader Nigel Smith said: "We want a can-do council, not a Cannes do council.

"The reasons behind the trip have almost been kept a secret, but I believe they have known about it for around three months.

"A decision like this should be taken at full council and then if it can be can shown we are going to gain from it, it is all well and good."

Basildon Labour group deputy leader Allan Davies branded the trip a "jolly".

Basildon Labour MP Angela Smith said: "I would like to know how they justify this.

"They are moaning about low settlements from the Government, but arrange this, when I get continued complaints from tenants that vital work to their homes is not carried out. I wonder if they have their priorities right."

Mr Buckley and deputy leader Tony Ball are both flying out early with their wives, at their own expense. Their wives will leave before the conference begins.

Basildon Council representatives:

Leader Malcolm Buckley;Deputy leader Tony Ball;Stephen Horgan, cabinet member for regenerationThames Gateway South Essex:

Mary Spence, chief executive

Gary Sullivan, chairmanStephen Castle, vice-chairman

Renaissance Southend:

Mike Lambert, chief executive