Workmen could be just days away from moving on to a Canvey seafront site earmarked for a £500,000 funfair, it emerged today.

Island Leisure is hoping to sign the lease for the council-owned land by the end of this week, leaving the way open for the first stage of the building work to take place on the project aimed at young children.

Boss Scott Petty said: "As soon as the lease is signed we will be able to start work. We need to dig holes in the ground to test it and then we will be able to start putting in the concrete blocks which will anchor the rides."

Plans for the one-acre fairground on Labworth recreation ground include around 40 miniature attractions as well as sideshows.

Mr Petty said: "There will be mini roundabouts, mini dodgems and mini go-karts and a small train - everything you would expect to find at a grown-up fairground but in miniature so little children can enjoy them.

"All the attractions will be bolted down and will be very safe."

Mr Petty first announced he wanted to build a theme park in June 2001 but it later emerged the site was protected by an ancient covenant prohibiting the creation of a funfair on the land.

However, as the fair will only be for youngsters under the age of nine, the council's lawyers have said the ban might not be enforced.

Mr Petty said: "We have had loads of ideas and are putting in a lot of money. We want to do things properly.

"We are looking to compete with Southend's Adventure Island. We want to attract people to Canvey from London and other parts of Essex."

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

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