A leading councillor has hit out at delays to Canvey's new cemetery and demanded a swift start to work.

The project to create a new burial ground on the site in Northwick Road was announced to a trumpet fanfare two years ago.

Castle Point Council forged links with Willow Funeral Directors to spearhead the plan, which has been beset by a range of problems since.

So far only an access road has been built and workers say the ground is too damp for anything to be done.

Now Dave Blackwell, the council's deputy leader, says enough is enough and work must start.

He said: "We wanted to get the work started by this spring. It is taking too long and it is not fair on the people of Canvey."

At the moment all burials have to take place off the island and residents are anxiously waiting for the cemetery to be built.

Nobody from Willow was available for comment.

Published Monday, March 25, 2002