The Evening Echo has launched a campaign to get Southend United fans back to their spiritual home at its stadium, Roots Hall.

Supporters have traditionally stood on the North Bank terrace, but that end of the ground was handed over to away fans when the bank became all-seater in 1994.

When the Echo reported on calls for a return to the old stand for home fans, the paper was deluged with letters and e-mails from supporters backing the move.

The response prompted the south Essex paper to get behind the campaign.

Sports editor Paul Alton said: "Fans have been wanting a return to the North Bank since it became the away end eight years ago.

"When fresh calls were made, we reported the story with a factfile and archive pictures.

"But we were not prepared for the response the article got; the last time was when the club considered moving out of Southend to neighbouring Basildon a decade ago.

"We knew that this strength of feeling from our readers warranted a campaign, so we launched it under the banner Give Us Back Our North Bank."

Southend United co-owner Ron Martin has backed the calls for a return but warned the club would have to look at the financial and safety factors before a decision is taken.

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