PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has highlighted the potential of Tilbury and plans to regenerate the town through the Tilbury Town Fund.

He was speaking in an interview with borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price, who he likened to Queen Elizabeth the first!

And, looking forward he described the town as a potential 'Tilbury-sur-mer' as he reflected on plans to create a new beach by the Thames.

Mr Johnson was speaking during last week's visit to officially open Tilbury's new port – Tilbury 2.

And in response to Ms Doyle-Price who said: "This is a first Brexit bonus for our area and between planning permission and the first ship it took just one year.

"That's how brilliant our construction industry is and the leadership here at Forth Ports (owners of the Port of Tilbury). I would like to thank you. I said that Tilbury needs some love and thanks to you Tilbury is getting it. This is just the start."

Mr Johnson responded by saying: "I think it's incredible. I think that Tilbury has fantastic potential. There is potential for a huge amount of trade between here and the continent and to expand it to deliver high wage, high skilled jobs for all of this area and the Thames Gateway.

"I'm thrilled, two years after we got Brexit done, here we are with the Thames Freeport, one of our first free ports."

Ms Doyle Price added: "Tilbury is one of the poorest towns but thanks to a Tory council we are going to deliver a new youth centre for the centre of Tilbury, a new beach for the community to use and a new pier so that people can travel into the centre of London."

And Mr Johnson, who had interjected with his 'Tilbury-sur-mer - it's fantastic' comment went on to add that there were plans to create a new memorial to the "great speech by Elizabeth the First - 'I may have the body of a woman but I may have the heart and stomach of a King of England', much in common, I think with the member of parliament for Tilbury."