TRAIN operator c2c and Tilbury Forum joined forces to offer residents a trip to the seaside.


More than 120 passengers, aged from seven weeks to 70-plus, took a free private train to and from Southend.


Many spent the day on the beach, while others took the chance to hit the High Street.


Julie Davis, c2c station manager, said: “We’ve been working very closely with Tilbury Forum over the last couple of years, and it maintains the beautiful flower beds at Tilbury Town station for us.


“It’s important to us that we support local groups and the excellent work they do to help the thriving local community. Providing this free train was part of that support, and we’re really glad everyone had such a great time.”


Yewande Kannike, project director of One Community, said: “A fantastic day was had by all, especially as some of the local people had never been to Southend before.


“We had a rare treat, courtesy of c2c, that many will remember for a long time, especially eight-year-old Mary, whose birthday it was.”