The new ambulance service chief in charge of recruiting extra paramedics started his career in Burnham.

Anthony Marsh, chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service, said he was aware of the challenges posed by the rural nature of the district.

He met MP John Whittingdale last week to discuss his idea for tethering an ambulance to the Dengie.

Mr Marsh, who took up his post last month, has also worked as a paramedic in Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers.

The service is recruiting 400 student paramedics - receiving more than 2,500 applications in under three weeks - at a cost of about £10million.

And 200 ambulances will be replaced and the fleet increased by about 50 to 350 by the end of the year.