A fearful family have claimed they will be forced to move off Canvey if a peanut factory moves onto their doorstep.

Lynn and Vic Day say that having peanut firm Percy Dalton as a neighbour would be tantamount to living next to an unmonitored and unrestricted nuclear power station.

So severe is their nine-year-old son Joshua's allergy to peanuts that he was ill for two days after fellow plane passengers opened their complimentary snack.

The allergy could kill him within minutes - and every new attack is more dangerous than the last.

Lynn, 35, of Smallgains Avenue, Canvey, now runs the self-help group Supporting Anaphylaxis Families in Essex (Safe) with another mum, Claire Ham.

Members met last night (Thursday) to discuss the threat and are now desperate to hold talks with the Percy Dalton Group about its plans to move onto the former Occidental site.

They have set up an action group to protect their children.

Lynn, who also has an 11-year-old daughter, Alanna, said: "We presume it is going to be a factory which would be burning off its waste and putting our children's lives at risk.

"When I learned about the proposal I felt sick. We are quite unsure what their intentions are which is why we are keen to speak to them.

"We would be forced off the island to protect Joshua's life, and have to start all over again. We moved here 14 years ago when we got married and all our roots are here.

"It would mean all the struggles I have had setting up protocols in Joshua's school would have to be gone through again, and it would be a huge upheaval for him and Alanna whose friends are here.

"It is an absolute nightmare. I just can't believe it - of all the places they could have built it, it has to land on our doorstep."

Labour Appleton councillor John Trollope has also voiced fears for residents with a nut allergy, despite the possibility of 100 new jobs being created by the group.

Lynn estimates there are more than 200 anaphylactic children in the Castle Point and Southend area, beside all the adult sufferers.

She said: "We cherish every day of our children's lives. You never know when something could happen. One little mistake or slip-up could be fatal."

Anyone who wants to join the campaign can ring Lynn on 01268 690847 or Claire Ham on 01702 512204.

Scared - Lynn Day discusses the situation with Joshua, watched by Alanna

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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