KEY workers have become the superheroes of 2020 – and so we want to show a lucky superman or a wonder woman just how much we appreciate them by giving them a £13,000 wedding of their dreams.

The Echo has joined with south Essex-based wedding businesses and suppliers to make one lucky couple’s dream come true.

Nurses, doctors, emergency service and care staff, public sector employees, supermarket workers and plenty more have all excelled themselves during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many have put their lives – and weddings – on hold to spend the lockdown caring for those in need. But one deserving key worker and their other half will get to celebrate in true style next year – if they triumph in our Echo-backed ‘win a wedding for a key worker competition’ which is worth almost £13,000.

If you are key worker and live in south Essex then you could win the wedding next Easter at the Chichester Hotel in Wickford, plus everything needed for the big day.

A group of big-hearted south Essex wedding businesses and suppliers have united to give their services for free - that includes the wedding dress, the cake, hair and makeup, limo journey, flowers, decorations, wedding photography and plenty more!

Echo readers will be asked to help pick the winning couple in a series of features set to appear in the newspaper and on our web and social media sites in the coming weeks.

The entries will be whittled down to five and a judging panel will then get together at the Chichester Hotel in late August to select the winner.

The prize package includes a wedding worth £5,000 at the Chichester for 50 day guests and features a three course wedding breakfast and evening buffet for up to 100. Also included in the prize package is: the bride and bridesmaid’s bouquet and buttonholes from Olivia’s Roses; Sweetie Ferris wheel and stationary; five suit hire package from Olivers Formal Wear; a diamond package from Tina Wing Photography; wedding video package from Northfield Weddings; Ellay’s evening disco and fun photo booth; WOW Balloons decorative balloon moon; one way journey for the bride from the Limousine Bureau; wedding dress from Beautifully Loved; magic entertainment from Magic Frostie; the wedding cake from Sugar Lump Lane; bridal party hair by Maria: bridal party makeup by Lynda Susie.

Photographer Tina Wing from Wickford, who specialises in wedding, portrait and outdoor family photography is the driving force behind the competition. She came up with the idea to give a keyworker something truly special to look forward to. She said: “I just think coronavirus has shown us the amazing sacrifice of so many men and women key workers and I felt compelled to do something.” Tina is donating her £1,350 photography package to the bundle.

“I got in touch with the Chichester Hotel at first and they jumped at the chance to host the wedding. Other wedding suppliers and businesses have rallied around to offer their support and their generosity means we have really fantastic prize package.”

To enter readers can visit www.tinawingphotography.co.uk and upload their entry to tell us in no more than 100 words why they should win. The closing date for entries today.