SUBMITTED BY ECHO READER ANDREW BATTY:

About half a mile West of Hadleigh Castle, on a hilltop slightly higher than the location of Hadleigh Castle itself, work is clearly taking place to develop a mountainbiking course in advance of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Hadleigh will host this event, which will be seen the world over. The beginnings, as pictured, show little more than the development of the course track which takes advantage of the High Hill around which the course is based.

The track, which is more extensive than the photos show, is built well away from the historically-important ancient castle itself. From the standpoint of the event, clear views of the estuary stretching from Canvey Island to Southend Pier can be seen.

The event will probably generate world media coverage. bringing much attention to the Southend borough and the surrounding areas.

Based on information supplied by Andrew Batty.