The commuter town where residents can't decide where they live

There is a constant debate over whether certain areas belong to Essex or Greater London. People just can't agree where some towns are - causing some pretty heated arguments!

Upminster is one of those areas where people just can't decide whether it is in Essex or London. While it resides within the London Borough of Havering technically, some residents believe that the town is "Essex, through and through".

Historically an Essex town, Upminster became part of Greater London alongside Romford in 1965. While it retains its rural Essex character, Upminster now has a bustling, London-like town centre.

Read more: Van owner says if people don't like his parking, they can move house

Read more: The pretty Essex island people are flocking to live on because 'life feels like a big holiday'

We at EssexLive spoke to some residents and workers within Upminster to see what they think about the debate. Those who said that Upminster was London repeatedly said that its train station and London buses are what makes it "more London".

Upminster train station makes the town a brilliant location for commuters, as it is both on the c2c line and is the eastern terminus of the typically London district line. The town is also full of red London buses, carting residents into areas such as Romford and Grays alike.

Resident Ian Redhouse, who has lived in Upminster and its surrounding areas for 73 years, understood the debate - but ultimately decided that Upminster is more London than Essex. He said: "I have lived in Upminster before it became part of London, so I definitely see why some people think it's Essex.

"However, we pay our taxes to a London borough, the London council takes care of our streets, so it is London. Also, I'm over 60 and live in a London borough, so I get free public transport!"

Upminster local Sheila Skinner, who has lived in Upminster for 23 years, agreed. She said: "We're on the District Line, the town is full of London buses. It is definitely more London than Essex nowadays."

A worker at a business in Upminster also understood the debate. He said: "People have this debate about all sort of areas, you know. Like Dagenham and Harold Wood and that. But these areas became part of London like 60 years ago now. People just need to move on and accept that it is what it is."

Despite this, some Upminster residents said the complete opposite. Kelly, who has lived in Upminster for 15 years, had a very different views. She said: "My address says Upminster, Essex, (postcode). It always has, so I say I live in Essex. I do like that I get my free Oyster card, though."

A passerby added: "I agree I agree! It's so close to Essex - like Brentwood is literally 2, 3 minutes drive away, and I think where people used to be part of Essex they have just held onto that belief."

Nooreen Jafferkhan, an owner of a cocktail bar in Upminster, shared the same view. She said: "Upminster is Essex, through and through. It doesn't have a London postcode - like N,E,S,W - and I would say most people here would consider themselves Essex residents."

So - the debate continues! Upminster residents are definitely undecided about which county they belong to - with some embracing the London lifestyle, others hold onto their Essex past and hold it near and dear.