An exhibition over the future of Pitsea failed to pull in the crowds on its first night.

Consultants from GVA Grimley, which has been paid £50,000 by Basildon Council to develop a 20-year vision for Pitsea, were sent packing early due to lack of visitors on the opening night.

Just a handful of residents turned up to see the latest blueprints in Pitsea Leisure Centre, despite having the chance to quiz consultants following months of planning and consultation by the council which started last summer.

Organiser, the Basildon Renaissance Partnership, is hopeful numbers will pick up over the next two weeks.

Spokeswoman Caroline Saunders said: "The consultants were sent home as they were just standing around."

Pitsea South East Tory councillor Stewart Ged-des remained optimistic.

He said: "There were four councillors, two or three staff and the consultants, but few residents.

"But there is more time to come.

"It could be people have already seen the plans and are happy with what they saw first time.

"Remember, a few hundred people turned up at the first exhibition which was on for just one night.

"But this is on for two weeks so we will see what happens.

"The council wants this to happen so has to take a lead, even if people aren't coming waving flags demanding it to happen."

However, Basildon deputy Labour group leader Allan Davies argued the response showed residents had lost faith in the plans.

He said: "I believe people just don't believe the Tory councillors anymore and they have become disillusioned with local government.

"In Pitsea, public consultation has a history of being ignored.

"With the Pitsea Masterplan, they have heard ridiculous talk of a yuppification of the town centre.

"They have probably come to a logical conclusion the people's voice will be ignored once again and the Tories will go ahead with whatever suits the Tories."