A community group has called for an urgent law to combat gangs of underage drinkers turning Canvey seafront into a "no-go" area.

Up to 150 teenagers gather along Eastern Esplanade every Friday night.

Some youngsters have been seen staggering around clutching bottles of gin.

A dedicated team from Canvey 2000 - a forum made up of local residents, businesspeople and councillors - have spent nearly three years restoring pride back into the area.

It has spent thousands of pounds, which has been donated by the public, laying new pavements, putting in flowerbeds, water features and benches around the seafront area.

However, unruly youngsters are destroying the area by leaving empty drink bottles, cans and rubbish lying around.

Canvey 2000 today (Tuesday) appealed to the council and police to bring in a bylaw which will prevent people drinking alcohol along the seafront.

A similar scheme brought in by Southend Council a couple of years ago has been a success in the town centre and seafront.

Liz Swann, secretary of Canvey 2000, said: "Around £100,000 has been spent on the seafront.

"In the summer visitors come to Canvey from places like London and in the winter residents walk down there and take their children to play on the machines. On Friday nights around 150 teenagers gather along the seafront drinking and being aggressive and it is turning the place into a no go area."

Dennis Williams, chairman of Canvey 2000, said he had even seen youngsters drinking bottles of gin along the seafront. He said that again two Union Jacks which fly from flagpoles on Labworth Green had been stolen.

PC Alex Gartshore, of Canvey police, said closed circuit television cameras were in action at the seafront.

He said: "We do take alcohol away from underage drinkers and tip it down the drain."

By Emma Thomas

Reporter's e-mail: emma.thomas@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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