An investigation is to be launched into Health chiefs' decision to close a clinic for diabetics without public consultation.

The probe, by the Strategic Health Authority, was revealed last night as the man responsible for the decision publicly apologised.

Before the closure of the clinic at Southend Hospital, nurses had been available without appointment to offer help and advice to diabetics.

The Community Services Scrutiny Committee decided last night Castle Point and Rochford Primary Care Trust (PCT) had broken Government regulations by not consulting those affected before the clinic was closed over the summer.

Dr Bryan Heap, acting chief executive of the PCT, told councillors and diabetes sufferers at the meeting: "In hindsight, considering the anxiety this has caused, it would have been better to have held a consultation. We are of course sorry."

The committee disagreed and referred what a large majority of members considered to be a serious oversight for a Strategic Health Authority probe.

Diabetic Richard Holsgrove, 70, of Triton Way, Thundersley, said: "It is very worrying when you are first diagnosed and it was really good to know there was somewhere you could drop in without an appointment for information about the condition and advice on things like your diet.

"That service has been taken away and there is nothing to replace it."