WHILE most eyes will be on next week's general election, a former Thurrock councillor has taken a moment to look back on the last time borough residents went to the polls, with a thank-you.

In May's local elections former mayor and long-serving Joy Redsell lost her seat in Little Thurrock Blackshots.

Among many issues over the year she played a very prominent role in tackling the problems of residents in the ward's troubled three tower blocks – and says she is still carrying on supporting them.

Joy told Nub News: "I would very much like to thank all those residents who voted for me in the last local elections, I hope I have served the local community and beyond for the last 20 years well, and have given to the community in conjunction with friends of Blackshots everything to make the area better for residents.

"I will still try to do my upmost to help, obviously all that I started I will try and finish.

"Thanks once again to you all. "