A state-of-the-art £1 million library is planned to bring new life into Laindon.

The cash has been set aside in Essex County Council's budget for a new building in the area.

But the Laindon Centre would be the loser under the plans, with the present library being axed at the ailing complex to make way for the new one.

The county says it is considering several sites, including one in New Century Road, for the new library - to be built over three years.

The authority seems set to give up the lease on the present library building when it expires in November 2000 and is looking at "all the possibilities".

The news that cash has now been set aside has come as a blow to local traders and councillors, who are fighting to improve the Laindon Centre.

Councillor Bob Sears said: "This is another blow to the centre and another gap to fill."

The library moved into the centre in 1971 when it formed part of a thriving shopping area.

But over the last few years more and more stores have abandoned the area, leaving both traders and shoppers despondent over the centre's future.

Fed-up councillors formed a crisis group dubbed Laindon Action following the closure of Kwik Save supermarket last March and the Abbey National branch later in the year.

But repeated pleas for assurances from the centre's landlords, Broad-minster Ltd, have gone unanswered.

Mr Sears said he hoped the landlords would now be more open to working with locals to fill the gap likely to be left by the library.

He said: "Hopefully they will listen to suggestions. It would be nice if they started to think about it now so when the library does move, someone else can slot in its place.

"It's quite a big area so perhaps we can attract a large shop. Otherwise this will leave a big void in the centre."

Angela Smith , Basildon and east Thurrock MP, said she was concerned to hear about the proposed move.

She said: "I would be concerned if the county council wanted to move the library to another area that wasn't as accessible. It seems the perfect place for a library is somewhere people go, like a shopping centre.

"The Laindon Centre needs support. I think it's appalling that the landlords refuse to meet me to discuss their long-term plans so I can understand the county council making other provisions."

It is not yet known where the library will move to, but it is believed to be to a site near the centre.

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