HUNDREDS packed into the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford on Wednesday night to hear from Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn.

The Islington North MP, who’s favourite in the four-way race, was welcomed to the stage by a huge standing ovation with the September 12 nomination fast approaching.

Joined on stage by union members and Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins, the anti-austerity candidate whipped up the crowd with his plans for more council housing, free university education and the need for Britain to face-up to and help with Europe’s ongoing refugee crisis.

Mr Corbyn, who’s battling MP’s Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper for the party leadership, also confronted former leader Tony Blair’s decision to go war in Iraq and condemned the increase in academies and free schools during his 30-minute speech.

On housing, the 66-year-old said: “The housing crisis affects every part of the country, every town, every city and every community.

“Its affected by the lack of council housing being available to those who desperately need it, the very expensive private rented accommodation, and because of short tenancy agreements that usually last six month many families move every six months. Imagine the disruption of your life if you don’t know where you’re going to be in six months time.”

He added: “The benefit cap punishes the poor. Let’s be a bit bolder and build more council houses, regulate the private rental sector, control the excessive levels of rent and set ourselves a real target of ensuring that everyone is decently housed in our society.

“That’s the vision that the great post-war generation had, can’t we recreate that vision now in the 21st century?”

Mr Corbyn then sent a message to Prime Minister David Cameron, who was recently accused of “dehumanising” migrants after referring to those trying to reach the UK illegally as a “swarm”.

Mr Corbyn, who called the current refugee crisis seen in Europe as a “humanitarian crisis”, said: “Can I suggest very gently and politely to our Prime Minister that we have less of this language about ‘swarms’ and ‘insects’ and bit more language about humanism, humanitarianism and recognising the part we need to play to help people.”

Also speaking on the night was Shelly Asquith, the vice president of the National Union of Students.

Ms Asquith, born in Basildon, was delighted to be back in Essex. Addressing the crowd, she said her home county and the country had changed since she lived here.

Throwing her support behind Mr Corbyn, she said: “Jeremy has made it quite clear what kind of Labour party he stands for.

“One which isn’t compliant with racist Home Office policies that make out to target and blame migrants, which won’t accept low pay as a standard, and won’t capitulate to a government that is intent on forcing people into poverty.”