WARD councillors and residents in south Grays have been celebrating the successful conclusion of a campaign to repair and improve local street lighting.

Following a community campaign, that has lasted more than a year, to repair scores of street lights at Seabrooke Rise in Grays, councillors and residents have welcomed the improvements so far and called on Thurrock Council to never let it get into that state of disrepair ever again.

Grays Riverside councillors Martin Kerin, Jane Pothecary and Tony Fish issued a statement saying: "Back in November, Cllr Kerin and local residents first walked the entire estate identifying the street lights which needed repair. We identified scores of lights which were out of action. It was unacceptable that our residents were basically living in darkness.

"Now, it is pleasing to see that the campaigning, cajoling and regular estate walking has paid off. Thurrock Council must never let the lighting fall into disrepair like that ever again."

Seabrooke Rise resident Ian Zanders added: "It's great to see that our efforts have paid off. It took time, but our persistence has paid off. We walked the estate regularly keeping track of the progress and keeping the pressure on.

"We've shown that when local councillors and residents work together, you can get stuff done."