News that Canvey's mile-long Occidental jetty is to be demolished was today branded "a terrible waste" by a Tory councillor.

Ray Howard hit out at plans by its owners Blue Lark to knock down the jetty which cost £10 million to build and has never been used.

The Newcastle firm revealed its intention to demolish the structure after a deal with a Norwegian consortium to import water fell through.

Mr Howard, (Con, Canvey West), said: "I am very disappointed. The jetty cost all that money to construct and it seems such a terrible waste.

"It could have been spent on improving health or education."

He added:"The jetty is right in the main water lanes of the Thames and is capable of taking the largest ships that come into the river.

"I suspect that it will be knocked down and then in two or three decades someone else will want a jetty there."

Blue Lark plans to demolish the jetty in May after failing to find another use for it when its original plan fell by the wayside.

But Mr Howard thought the structure could be incorporated into government plans for the Thames Gateway which is set to extend from Tilbury to Shoebury this summer.

He said: "I am sure it could be used for some form of business to create more jobs particularly now John Prescott has given the green light to the Thames Gateway.

"My advice to the company is to speak to the Government to see whether the jetty could come in to some of the plans which may be part of the extension."

However, Labour MP for Castle Point Christine Butler, said she would not be sorry to see it removed.

She said: "I have thought about it through the years and cannot think of any use for the jetty other than what it was originally built for - part of a planned oil refinery.

"It has been subject to many debates but I think the best thing would be to remove it.If it was left there as it is it would start to rot which would not be a pretty sight. It is an ugly structure and is not really in keeping with the environment."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.