Southend Pier in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has temporarily closed to the public in order to allow the local council to start the next stage of a £830,000 repair scheme at the Grade II-listed attraction.

Southend Borough Council (SBC) has announced that the pier will remain closed between 18-22 January in order to undertake the work, which will see a walkway ramp lifted to remove asphalt from the 1.33-mile (2.14km) attraction. The £830,000 scheme has also included the reinstatement of windbreaks dating back to the 1950s, the replacement of windows in the Pier Museum and repainting work.

SBC's executive councillor for enterprise, tourism and regeneration, John Lamb, said: "The repairs to refurbish and preserve our internationally iconic Pier are proceeding well at the moment. It is inevitable that there will be a certain amount of disruption at particular stages of the work. "The health and safety of our visitors, our staff and tenants on the Pier is paramount, so it is essential that we temporarily close the Pier for this section of the repairs to be completed as safely and efficiently as possible."