One of Canvey's most popular beaches could be transformed by a Government scheme.

Environment Agency officials have visited the beach off the island's Eastern Esplanade, where fallen rocks from the breakwaters have proved treacherous for swimmers. Sand is also being washed away from the shore.

The agency's £5,000 plan involves changing the shape of one of the breakwaters to keep sand on the beach.

If successful, the scheme could also be extended elsewhere round the island.

Tom Miller, the Environment Agency's team leader for Essex, said: "We are looking to try an experiment using some of the fallen rocks from the breakwater.

"The idea is to build it into a hockey-stick shape, which will then keep the sand from the beach behind it. We have tried it in other places and it has worked."

Published Wednesday October 23, 2002

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