Thurrock's new driving test centre has opened - but there are major safety concerns about where it has been built.

The test centre on the corner of Dock Road and Russell Road in Tilbury has replaced the former centre at Whitehall Lane, Grays.

The opening of the centre was celebrated by motoring schools across the borough, many of whom feared that Thurrock would lose a test centre following the closure of the Whitehall Lane branch.

But, the layout of the new site has not been welcomed in all quarters with many instructors concerned about potential dangers to their students.

The centre has a small car park, which makes manoeuvres difficult for pupils, and it leads out on to the hazardous mini-roundabout on Dock Road.

Dave Starns, of DS School of Motoring, said: "It's not an easy car park for the pupils to negotiate and then there's the mini-roundabout right outside, which cars go whizzing over. Pupils taking their test are very nervous at the best of times and they could easily make a mistake. It's awkward for experienced drivers let alone those on a driving test."

Another Thurrock-based instructor, who does not wish to be named, said: "I don't think it's the best place for a test centre to be located."

A spokeswoman for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) said: "A senior examiner tests out all the areas around the test centre to get an idea of its suitability. Tilbury has gone through all these procedures and would not have gone ahead if the examiners did not think it was fine."

The official opening of the centre takes place on Wednesday, June 29, by Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay.