Tintin and the terrific tomb: Essex heritage listing is thrill for Hergé fans

Rare stone chest linked to comic-book hero joins church above supermarket under Historic England’s protection

Blistering barnacles! Thundering typhoons! Blue blistering barnacles in a thundering typhoon! Who knew there was a 300-year-old tomb in Essex that can be linked to Tintin’s boozy best friend Captain Haddock?

The little-known tomb of Mary Haddock, in a churchyard in Leigh-on-Sea, has been named as one of the quirkier places given listed status in 2024 by Historic England.