WEBCAMS are set to be installed on Southend Pier giving a 360 degree view from the world’s longest pleasure pier to raise the profile of the famous landmark.

A website will also be launched to boost the pier as a major tourist attraction, and will be dedicated to giving information on the history of the 1.3 mile pier and its upcoming events.

Plans are now also in place to develop links to webcams which will show the stunning estuary views from a mile and a third out to sea, along with an online booking system for seafront-goers to pre-book their pier trip ahead of their visit.

Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for business, culture and tourism, said: “While we have all had an extremely challenging year, pier visitor numbers have shown confidence in the attraction with September numbers higher than last year.

““We have invested heavily in the pier recently, with money being spent on structural repairs, and also the exciting plans to replace the pier trains with new, eco-friendly trains, which are set to be in place for Spring 2021.”

The website will include details of popular events taking place on the pier, and will feature alongside pier news and pictures of the landmark through the years.

Southend deputy mayor Councillor Mark Flewitt, said: “I’m really pleased to see the council have taken the initiative to promote our brilliant pier, which everyone loves.

“It’s synonymous with Southend - to go out and stare at the views is so simple, but there is something so rewarding about it.

“We have to do more to make the most of what we have, and what we have is so important.”

It comes after ambitious plans for a new £10million Southend Pier pavilion - on the old AMF bowling at the entrance to the landmark - have been scrapped.

Southend Council will instead focus on the pierhead, and it’s hoped that Southend will see a London Dungeon-style attraction on the pier - a vision announced by bosses in April.