Generous Maldon residents are being asked to donate £1 each to help secure the future of a historic steam tug.

The Brent Steam Tug Trust needs £60,000 to help restore the vessel which is moored at Cooks Yard.

It is one of the last surviving tugs built for the admiralty in the final stages of the Second World War.

Now the trust, which was established in 2010, has launched its Count Me In initiative urging the district's 60,000 residents to donate to the cause.

The scheme was launched at a special quiz night held on Friday at Maldon Town Hall to support the trust.

Organised by trustee Mark Heard the event saw 13 teams of six take part.

In total more than £1,500 was raised on the night.

Mr Heard said: “It was a really good evening and everyone who was there seemed to enjoy it, but we need the help of every person in the district to make the Brent seaworthy again.

“It’s such a major part of the river scene; but it needs just one pound from every person in the Maldon district which just happens to be 60,000 people.

“When you’re passing the Brent or see the stickers please take a moment to find just one pound and join those who say 'Count me in’.”

The quiz night was sponsored by Sark Meze Grill who donated £150 towards the evening’s fish and chip supper which was supplied by Our Plaice in Washington Road.

Owner Salman Barli also donated 80 lunches at the grill helping to raise £400 for the trust.

The Brent was saved from the breaker’s yard in 1970.

The port of London authority had sent the vessel there but Ron Hall – who had been ordered to skipper an impounded yacht from Maldon to the very same yard – decided to save the tug.

Brent became the home of Ron and Janet Hall for the next 25 years.

Following Ron’s death Janet took on the responsibility of maintaining the Brent setting up the Steam Boat Brent Trust in 2010.