'A Good Heart' singer, Feargal Sharkey, will join MP John Whittingdale and others for a public meeting tomorrow (July 15), to discuss the status of the River Chelmer and the Blackwater Estuary.

The panel will be held in Maldon's Town Hall at 7pm.

Feargal told Nub News: "I was so delighted and excited to be asked by John and Andrew to join their Town Hall debate on Friday. I hear there's going to be a massive turnout.

"It's fantastic to hear that so many local people want to make sure the Blackwater estuary and its rivers have a much brighter, cleaner, and healthier future.

"I can't wait."

Feargal is best known as the former vocalist for punk band The Undertones, who released their debut single Teenage Kicks in 1978. For the last decade, however, Feargal has been a prominent campaigner for clean rivers throughout Britain.

More than 120 people are expected to attend the discussion.

Town Mayor Andrew Lay, who organised the event, hopes it will provide the public with an opportunity to have their say regarding how local councils and organisations should protect the river and estuary.

Carl Wakefield, Executive Principal at Plume Academy, will attend alongside Year 11 student Hattie Phillips, a WWF Youth Ambassador and a nationally-renowned environmentalist.

Carl told Nub News: "In terms of taking care of our local rivers, to me, it is absolutely imperative that we do – for a whole host of environmental, health and local business related reasons too.

"In my opinion, the Government must put legislation in place that doesn't allow various water boards to simply dump highly-dangerous waste directly into our river and water cycle systems.

"The boards say they have no choice but to do so. However, if they used some of their massive profits to build adequate systems and provision so they don't have to, regardless of the weather conditions, there wouldn't be an issue!

"This is a legislative change that needs to occur moving forward and it is only the Government who can bring this in."

Those who wish to attend the meeting should book their place by calling 01621 857 373, or by sending an email.