A millionaire businessman today provoked outrage after posting up to 4,000 leaflets to residents in a pre-election storm.

Terry Holding also flew his plane over Canvey, Thundersley, Rayleigh, and Basildon trailing a banner saying "vote for decency."

The targets of the leaflets are Castle Point mayor Charles Smith and councillors George Wilson and Jenifer Howlett, who are standing for Labour in Thursday's elections for the Cedar Hall ward on Castle Point Council.

Leaflets : Terry Holding with his plane Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

Mrs Howlett is already suing Mr Holding for libel and the case is due in the High Court in October. Mrs Howlett saw the plane as it flew over her home on Saturday. She said: "My husband saw it first then I saw it and then the phone started ringing.

"The plane was flying back and forth over my house at the top of Bread and Cheese Hill in Thundersley."

Mrs Howlett claims the row is over a long running dispute following a refusal to grant planning permission to Mr Holding, who owns HBC car salvage firm in Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey, to relocate his business of auctioning scrap cars.

Mr Smith said: "This is obscene. Myself and Mr Wilson will be meeting our solicitors to consider launching our own legal action with the view of suing Mr Holding for libel.

"I believe he has broken Civil Aviation Authority regulations by flying an aircraft too low. "He has also created extra litter for the borough."

Mr Smith added: "Since the incident I have had nothing but support from residents and colleagues alike.

"Mr Holding has actually helped my election campaign by his actions."

Mr Holding, who attempted to become a Conservative councillor in 1999, admitted piloting the plane with the banner and also to organising the publication of the leaflets.

He said: "They are all being sent out by first class post to every household in the ward -that's about 3,000 to 4,000.

"I take full responsibility for them."

"I believe I am speaking on behalf of a silent majority. It's not the first time or the last that I will be doing this."

Rayleigh policeman Sgt Kevin Diable-White, confirmed the police were investigating the incident.

He said: "We are looking into reports of a low-flying aircraft in south Essex on Saturday that was allegedly dropping leaflets with comments about some Castle Point councillors."

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

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