A FLAG has been raised at Thurrock Council's Civic Offices in Grays this morning (Thursday 30 April) in support of NHS workers.

Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Terry Piccolo, initiated the raising of the 'Thank you NHS' flag to acknowledge the commitment shown by key workers to protect and support the borough's residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

Cllr Piccolo said: "I wanted to express how much I and everyone in Thurrock appreciates all the workers in the NHS and emergency services, as well as all the other frontline volunteers and staff, who are working day and night to tackle COVID-19 and keep us safe. This pandemic has not only impacted the people of Thurrock, but the rest of the UK and the world.

"It is an extraordinary time and the selfless acts that our key workers continue to do out in the community and their places of work makes me proud to be Thurrock's Mayor."

Existing messages of thanks and support already seen across Thurrock include special rainbow road markings by council contractor Henderson and Taylor outside Thurrock Community Hospital in Long Lane, Grays, and in School Lane and Rowley Road, Orsett; rainbow signs on council vehicles; and the Thameside Theatre and Civic Offices in Grays being illuminated in blue every Thursday evening.

Howevre, the creation of the signs on the road outside Orsett has not been universally welcomed.

Many local people took to social media to say that the council, which has been an advocate of the closure of the much-loved local hospital was showing double standards.

Orsett has been used by the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust to take on additional services during coronavirus and campaigners wanting the hospital to stay open say the crisis has proved its worth to the Thurrock community and it should be the subject of investment, not closure.

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However it wasn't all negative reaction. Hospital staff member Katie Hayden posted an image on Facebook, showing her and two of her colleagues standing over the display, along with following message: "This gesture outside Orsett Hospital put a smile on our faces."