 The seat was created for the 1983 general election from parts of the Maldon, Chelmsford and abolished South East Essex constituencies.It was abolished at the next redistribution which came into effect for the 1997 general election, when it was largely replaced by the new constituency of Rayleigh, with the town of Rochford itself being included in the new constituency of Rochford and Southend East.It was held by Michael Clark for the Conservatives throughout its existence.