Clacton's Shopping Village must capitalise on what it's got in order to survive, a district councillor has said.

Tony Sargent, who represents the Rush Green ward, has spoken of his concerns about the future of the complex at Stephenson Road West.

Currently, only 27 of the 47 retail spaces are occupied, while just half of the two million visitors needed each year are coming through the doors.

Mr Sargent, 72, said: "If the shopping village goes under, 300 people would immediately be added to Clacton's unemployment list.

"We must grab the potential of this site - otherwise someone else will."

The Labour and Co-operative councillor said over Christmas, holiday agents were offering trips to shopping centres like Bluewater for as little as £10 per person.

He said: "Why don't we promote Clacton in the same way?"

Dawn Symes is manager of Stone River Jewellery at the shopping village, and believes that the only way the complex can survive is for a major supermarket to move in.

"I have collected 7,000 signatures agreeing with this," she said.

"That's just from handing it around on site over the last couple of months."

An Asda spokesman said: "There is no movement as far as our bid to come to Clacton goes.

"We would like a site in Clacton but there are no plans at the moment, and we are not committed to being in the shopping village. We are still looking for a suitable site in the town centre."