Seaplanes to fly to private Osea Island off Essex coast

Loch Lomond Seaplanes has operated flights across western Scotland since 2004

A sea plane company is to start chartered flights to Osea Island, off the Essex coast.

Loch Lomond Seaplanes will fly two aircraft a day to the 400-acre private island resort on Blackwater Estuary.

Managing director and chief pilot David West said flights would be available from London, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire this summer.

He told the BBC: "I'm sure flights, although primarily for resort clients, will be available to the public."

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"You can turn up 15 minutes before your flight, park your car by the side of the water and get on board," Mr West told The Times.

"This is the simplicity of it.

"There's none of the demands you find in a big airport that makes flying so unpleasant for a great many people.

"It is this wonderful experience rather than something you have to endure."

Osea Island is owned by music producer Nigel Frieda and its manor houses and cottages can be booked for holidays and weddings.

A Loch Lomond seaplane coming in to land in Glasgow

It has been a backdrop for films and music videos, and its recording studio has been used by Jessie J and Tinie Tempah.

According to its website, the tidal island is accessible via a one-mile road from Maldon, but this is only available for a four-hour period every 12 hours.

Otherwise, visitors can book a river taxi or take a helicopter from Battersea heliport in south London.

Mr West hopes to eventually gain permission from the aviation regulator and the authorities governing the River Thames to allow flights to take off and land from water in London.

Loch Lomond Seaplanes has operated flights across western Scotland since 2004 and claims to run Europe's longest established scheduled seaplane service.