A GROUNDBREAKING scheme which uses music to support people with learning disabilities should help fast track the Southend’s latest bid to become a city, according to one of the its MPs.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, praised the cultural significance of the Music Man Project, which is run by the Southend’s Mencap charity.

Last month the group, which is made up of people with a variety of learning difficulties, managed to break the Guinness World Record for the largest ever ensemble of musicians playing the triangle. It has lead to Sir David’s call for Prime Minister Theresa May to recognise what the project has done for the town as a whole.

Addressing the Prime Minister in Parliament on Wednesday, he said: “Does my right honourable friend agree that that is yet another reason why Southend should be made a city?

“Will she and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, my honourable friend the member for Norwich North Chloe Smith, please organise a contest so that Southend-on-Sea can become the first post-Brexit city?”

Prime Minister May, who last month passed her congratulations to the life-changing group, again praised the group’s efforts but made a joke about Mr Amess’ suggestion of a fast-track for Southend’s city bid.

Ms May said: “I am happy to congratulate the Music Man Project in Southend on that record in tinkling triangles.

“I am sure that my honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office has heard my honourable friend’s bid for Southend to become a city.

“I must say to him that a number of Members will of course put forward their own towns for that accolade in due course.

“I knew a city had to have a cathedral - I did not know that it had to have tinkling triangles.”

Southend bid for city status in 2013 and last year, however both were unsuccessful.

Sir David, who has been MP for the town since 1983, helped lead both of the unsuccessful campaigns, however it appears he is prepared to go for third time lucky.