A SHORT service will take place on the pontoon adjacent to Tilbury's International Cruise terminal on Friday when the ashes of rough sleeper Jimmy Murphy will be committed to the Thames.

Mr Murphy was a popular character in the village of Horndon on the Hill and towns of Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham, who died while sleeping on the streets of Corringham on last Christmas Eve.

A local crowdfunding campaign was organised and supported by local people to ensure that he received a proper funeral service, with local people given the opportunity to pay their respects.

The service took place at Pitsea cremataorium and afterwards it was decided that it would be appropriate for the former merchant seaman's ashes be scattered close to the borough's ports on the Thames.

It has taken some time to organise, with requisite permissions required, but Ruth Campbell, the Port Chaplain for the Port of London will oversee the casting of the ashes into the river on Friday (9 August) at 4.30pm from the pontoon, the former departure point for the Tilbury ferry.

Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome and it is hoped a biodegradable wreath will be cast alongside the ashes by Stanford area councillor and former mayor Cllr James Halden, who supported the fundraiser from funds remaining in his mayoral year campaign.

Organiser of the fundraiser, Stanford West Cllr Neil Speight, said: "It's taken some time to arrange but we felt this weekend would be appropriate, and it will be followed shortly by Merchant Navy Day. I am grateful that all who have supported the fundraising to make sure that Jimmy was not forgotten, and particular, thanks go to David Cotton, the Corringham Funeral Director who offered his company's expertese and services for free.

"This isn't quite the end of the tribute to Jimmy, and working in conjunction with the Essex Wildlife Trust, I am hoping we will be able to place a permanent memorial remembering Jimmy on the site of the Golden Gate nature area currently being planned close to Mucking Creek, which will hopefully be opened next year."

Merchant Navy Day takes place on Tuesday, 3 September and is a national event, commemorating the sacrifices and courage of the Merchant Navy personnel.

It will be marked in Thurrock next month with the raising of the service's Red Ensign, a flag which was used to drape Jimmy's coffin, and will take place outside Thurock Council Civic Offices in Grays in a short service, starting at 10am. The flag will be raised by borough mayor, Cllr Kairen Raper.