A mass burn incineration is not on the cards for Essex, the county's waste supremo has pledged.

Essex County Council has moved to reassure residents after environmental campaigners and opposition parties claimed there were plans to build an incinerator in Stanway.

Peter Martin, cabinet member for environment, planning and assets, said the council's waste strategy was focused on "reduce, reuse and recycle."

It is encouraging reducing the amount of waste from the outset, reusing what it can and recycling the absolute maximum.

The remainder is set to be processed by a mechanical biological treatment and anaerobic digestion plant, rather than going to landfill with the problems that entails.

Mr Martin said: "We are finalising our waste strategy which will be completed in the spring, and there is a strategic environmental assessment which is independent to the county council.

"We will go out to consultation on the strategy and environmental assessment."

Meanwhile, Cory Environmental has applied for planning permission for a mechanical and biological treatment (MBT) plant at Stanway - not an incinerator.

A spokesman for the company said: "MBT plants are essentially large composting plants - the waste is not incinerated."