Fears that Canvey could sink into the Thames because of global warming have been dismissed by a flood defence expert.

A new report by the Green Party claimed the island could be submerged as the Earth's climate warms up, melting polar ice-caps and forcing sea levels to rise dramatically.

However, county councillor Ray Howard, a key member of the Essex Flood Defence Committee, said yesterday: "Canvey is a safe place to live. We have excellent flood defences which are reviewed every year."

Activists have called for urgent action to curb the use of fossil fuels - blamed for the melt-down - in the report, Globalisation and Climate Change.

They backed their warning of a repeat of the 1953 floods - when 59 people died - by taking a "mermaid" to the island.

The report has been compiled by Canvey man Chris Keene, who campaigns nationally on the issue for the Green Party.

Mr Keene said: "If the west Antarctic ice sheet goes as some are predicting, then the sea levels will rise by about five to six metres. It would have a huge impact and there is no way places like Canvey could cope.

"The island would have to be evacuated."

Mr Keene added that pressure should be put on global companies, which he claimed were taking away power from national and local government and hampering their efforts to curb climate changes. He said that everyone had a part to play.

Mr Keene said: "Globalisation is not inevitable. It is caused by the deliberate decisions of politicians, often pressured by the transnational corporations who fund them.

"The first step in stopping it is to recognise this, and to press the politicians to change the rules of organisations like the World Trade Organisation, so that they allow countries to pass laws to protect the environment."

Mr Keene, who has also spoken out against incineration plans for Essex, wants to see more use of renewable energy sources and called on people to "think locally."

Ray Howard, borough and county councillor for Canvey West, sought to reassure residents that Canvey's defences are reviewed regularly.

He has represented the island on the county's flood defence committee for 25 years.

Mr Howard said: "I accept that we are going through global warming and climate change but we are making sure every year that we keep our defences up to a high standard.

"I have every confidence that Canvey will remain a safe place for many years to come. "There is no doubt that we do get very high tides occasionally but the island is secure.

"There is no need to be alarmist and although places like Canvey do have a certain risk potential, we are always being kept informed of what is happening."

Mr Howard played a major role in keeping the island's ten flood sirens from the axe in December. The hi-tech warning system will be in place for at least another five years.

How islanders may look in the future? Model Angela Dawson dons her mermaid's outfit

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.