On Southend Pier, the world's longest, which ends after 1.34 miles in water so deep that flounder, mackerel, cod and plaice can be caught in it, a grey August day finds knots of anglers at every shelter.

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The council also voted to close Southend Pier on Mondays and Tuesdays over the winter months, review its senior management structure and close Queensway House, home to the South Essex Partnership Trust's mental health and rehabilitation centre.

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Under Lady Thatcher, if she was still in charge, the seven Tories whose youthful activities have came to light "would be pushed off the end of the pier in Southend", according to veteran Tory backbencher Sir Teddy Taylor.

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