A furious charity worker today slammed "old" thieves who have been making off with shrubs decorating a Canvey street - within a week of them going on display.

Hard working members of Canvey 2000 have spent the last three years revamping the island's seafront and trying to spruce up the area.

However, just seven days after charity chairman Dennis Williams, created the vibrant flower beds near Canvey Library in the High Street , shrubs have started to go missing - leaving only ugly holes for pedestrians to stare at.

Mr Williams at first feared youngsters hanging around the area might rip down the shrubs but ironically he now believes that elderly members of the community are responsible for the thefts.

"People are stealing these shrubs and taking them home for their own gardens. It is despicable," he stormed.

Det Cons Alex Gartshore, of Canvey police, said: " It is annoying when you think about all the work Canvey 2000 has done."

Published Tuesday October 15, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo