South Essex MPs were unanimously jubilant after a date was finally set for Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May announced the historic day will take place on March 29, 2019.

Amendments to the repeal bill going through Parliament will spell out that the UK’s membership of the EU will end at 11pm GMT, midnight in Brussels, on that date.

James Duddridge, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend West said the date should be marked as a great occasion. He said: “I think we should allow the pubs to open late that night to celebrate. A toast to Great Britain, on its way to becoming a sovereign state under Her Majesty.”

Fellow Tory, Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, said: “I think this creates a sense of focus and reminds the public we are serious about carrying out the will of the people as expressed in the referendum on June 23 last year.”

The date of Brexit will be written into law in an effort to placate MPs who are worried that the Government could attempt to delay the UK’s breakaway from the European Union.

John Baron, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay said: “I welcome the confirmation in the Withdrawal Bill that we will be leaving the EU on March 29, 2019. The Government is rightly following through on the decision taken by over 17 million people in last year’s referendum, and I look forward to supporting the Bill when it returns to the Commons.”

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, echoed his fellow Tories. He said: “I warmly welcome the news that the Government will amend the Bill to enshrine our exit date from the EU in law.

“The British people voted in the referendum for Brexit and this date will help provide certainty to the process and thus allow individuals and businesses to plan.”

Sir David Amess, Tory MP for Southend West, added: “I am very pleased with this news. We now have the legal certainty of our exit date. Let us be united in our efforts to get the best deal for the UK.”