Air Cadets from Canvey Island’s 2187 Squadron spent an evening clearing Thorney Bay beach of weeds and rubbish after a call for volunteers from community minded local businessman Bill Dudbridge.

Mr Dudbridge who owns the locally based ‘Thames Ambulance Service’ leads a voluntary group of friends and family to clean the beach every year to make it safer and more attractive for young families and tourists.

Mr Dudbridge’s company also recently donated several benches along the bath around the bay wall so residents and passers-by could sit and enjoy the views of the Thames Estuary from the Bay.

The air cadets, led by Flight Lieutenant Martin Worrall, were joined by local MP Rebecca Harris, Cllr Ray Howard and other local residents as they tidied the beach and the surrounding area.

Rebecca Harris MP said:

“Thorney Bay beach is a beautiful place for a family day out and I think it’s fantastic that this community effort led by Bill and supported by our wonderful local air cadets is going to mean it is a far nicer place for families and tourists to enjoy this summer.

A number of the Air Cadets are doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards and I am glad that the hours they spent here will count towards the volunteering in the community element of their awards."

Rebecca added:

I know that the air cadets are currently recruiting on Canvey and I would encourage any young person who thinks they might be interested to sign up and give it a go.”