World champions could be produced in Castle Point thanks to the borough's excellent facilities, said Sports Minister Tony Banks on a tour of the borough.

Mr Banks also warned that the future of Southend United was vital to the area and must be secured because of its value to the community.

His prediction of future champions came before he officially opened the Deanes Sports College in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley - only the 26th in the country.

The school established the college back in September and has already produced national archery champions, followed up with a host of other successes in a range of sports.

Mr Banks had nothing but praise for the achievements of all connected with Deanes.

He said: "Schools like this are absolutely crucial to the development of sporting success in this country.

"Unless we are providing facilities at the grass roots for young people, we can forget about the Olympic medals and world championships.

"We will win the odd one or two but never have sustained success. This is where it starts. Future world champions will start off at Deanes School."

Mr Banks went on a mini-tour of Castle Point on Tuesday night, beginning with the launch of Labour's new election campaign headquarters in Benfleet.

He then went to Waterside Farm sports centre on Canvey where he met, and heaped praise on, those involved in Castle Point's hugely successful disabled sports club.

Mr Banks said he hoped Southend United's future in the town could be secured after This is Essex revealed that Roots Hall is to be sold off for £4 million to cover the club's £3.87 million debts.

He said: "The value of a team like Southend is absolutely crucial and we must make sure that these football clubs flourish.

"It would be calamitous if Brighton's situation would be repeated. A team that is forced to move out of its town loses its spirit."

The sell-off of Roots Hall would see Southend lease back the ground. Blues' chairman John Main said there would be no question of the ground being bulldozed before the club had relocated .

In trim - Tony Banks catches up on his exercise at Waterside Farm with Dawn Cousins and councillor Dave Wells

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