PLANS are being made to return residents to Corringham's Collins House, which had to be evacuated on New Year's Eve because of a major power failure.

Residents and their families have been praised for their stoic response to the situation.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "The cause of the power outage at Collins House has now been found, the issue resolved and electricity restored to the site.

"Over the next few days further repairs and tests will be carried out. We anticipate that everyone will be back in Collins House next week.

"Our teams have visited all the residents and made sure that they are comfortable and well looked after.

"All of the residents and their families have been brilliant throughout the relocation.

"Their positivity and 'can do' attitudes have played an enormous role in making sure dealing with this unforeseen issue has gone as smoothly as it has. I would like to thank all of them for their help over the past few days."