A highly controversial reptile show is set to be banned from Basildon next year.

A report will be submitted to Basildon councillors within the next month, which is expected to change the authority's policy on live animal exhibitions.

A row erupted in October when a reptile show was allowed to go ahead at the Basildon Sports Centre.

Basildon councillor Nigel Smith called for people to boycott the event and animal rights activists protested outside, branding it cruel and inhumane.

At the time there was nothing the council could do because the exhibition - where creatures such as snakes, spiders and lizards were sold in plastic containers - was within the authority's own guidelines.

However, the report will look at what options are available to prevent the same thing happening again. Basildon Council already bans live animal circuses but its current policy does not prevent "exhibitions" on council owned property.

Mr Smith said: "We are looking to have a clear policy on this. We are not looking at banning things like dog shows but I very much doubt if there will be another reptile exhibition in Basildon.

"I want to see animal exhibitions involving commercial activity completely banned - such as the reptile show which was in Basildon in October."

The RSPCA has backed Mr Smith's calls. A spokesman said: "The RSPCA does not approve of the sale of exotic animals at fairs such as the one in Basildon."

And a spokesman for Animal Aid, whose members protested at the Basildon exhibition, said: "We would be absolutely delighted if Basildon were to ban all animal shows and exhibitions, where there was a commercial gain."

The Essex Reptiles and Amphibians Society, which organised the Basildon event, was unavailable for comment.

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