Charity set up to support 'Essex girls'

A charity has been founded to help 'Essex girls' raise their self-esteem.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Essex Women's Advisory Group has created a three-year plan to "empower" natives of the county.

The group's website claims that Essex girls have been "disadvantaged and disenfranchised" and explains that the aim of the charity is to "inspire them to reach further, higher and live the dream of an enhanced future regardless of their stereotyping".

Daphne Field, the project's leader, said: "A lot of girls we were helping were suffering so much from this image, so we decided to do something. There are so many successful girls in Essex and we wanted to promote this.

"Nobody talks about the Kent girl or the Hampshire girl - we just ended up with this tag. But there is nothing wrong with being an Essex girl."

Meanwhile, chair of the Essex County Council Elizabeth Hart, who is also a patron of the group, said: "I am sick and tired of people putting Essex girls down. Our girls are bright and fun, but then you see them crumble when people start putting them down for where they come from."

The organisation has already raised £38,000, which is benefiting women's refuges in Essex, the Girl Guides, and girls in the Essex Prince's Trust.

What a load of

Most Essex girls I know have a great sense of humour and are proud of where they're from .