Vandals were today condemned by politicians for wrecking election posters and signs.

Labour and Conservative campaigners claimed to have seen hoardings damaged and pulled down - and it has all been concentrated in the Canvey Winter Gardens ward.

The candidates standing for the two seats available are Roger Thipthorp and Terry Holding for Conservative and Jane David and Brian Weller for Labour.

The latter party has reported more than 10 incidents since putting up its latest batch of signs on wooden stakes last Sunday.

It has also claimed that one disabled homeowner, who allowed the party to put up a sign in his garden, then had his car pelted with eggs.

Labour councillor Jackie Searle had a sign removed from outside her own house.

She said: "This is a democratic country and people should be able to put up signs as long as they have permission and they are in the correct place.

"People should not be intimidated in this way. We are going to have to be extra vigilant."

Conservative agent Terry Eastman, who is standing in Benfleet St Mary's, agreed. He said: "As long as you know the law you should be allowed to put up a sign, whatever party you represent. This is not right."

He also revealed that his party had suffered from the problem during its pre-election campaign.

Mr Eastman added: "We had a problem where signs were damaged after a Saturday night. The weather could be a factor but these signs seemed to have been pulled down deliberately.

"Vandalism costs a lot of money and it meant someone had to go around and put them all back up."

Castle Point's elections are due to take place next Thursday.

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