Community groups are being urged to set up their own businesses to end their dependency on grants.

The Southend Association for Voluntary Services will find out this month if it has been given £2million from the East of England Development Agency to build a business centre.

The centre would help Southend voluntary and community groups set up their own companies so they would have a constant source of income to help with work.

People from deprived areas would also be assisted in setting up their own firm.

The association said the service was desperately needed, as many groups had seen their grants reduced by Southend Council or the Government in the past few years.

The centre would be based at the association's offices in Alexandra Street, which would need to be extended.

If the association wins the funding, it could also submit a planning application for the centre as early as April.

The group is also looking to purchase its base which it leases from Southend Council. Cabinet councillors will discuss selling the building to the association on February 6.