Shoppers and traders today demanded action to clean up two water features in Basildon town centre which have been reduced to rubbish tips.

Eyesore - the woman and child fountain is ruined by litter and the lack of water tinkling from it Picture: ROB BROWNE

The impressive woman and child fountain opposite WH Smith and the HSBC bank, and the water feature next to St Martin's Church have not seen a drop of water trickle from their spouts for months.

Karen Jones, 42, of Church Road, Basildon, said: "I used to love to sit by the water fountain after doing my shopping.

"It is such a lovely spot and now it has been left to gather dust and rubbish."

Emily Jackson, 28, of Kirby Road, Basildon, said: "Both fountains must have cost a small fortune to put in place.

"I don't know what happened to them but seems an awful waste of money just to leave them broken."

A council spokesman confirmed the council was aware of the problems.

He said the fountain in the square had been leaking into the garages below and officers were looking into repairs on both features.

Published Friday August 27, 2004

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