A TOWN council on Canvey could be in place within 18 months.

More than 10 per cent of voters signed a petition calling on the Government to create a town council for the island.

The Canvey Town Council Campaign collected more than 3,500 signatures on a petition which will now go to Castle Point Council for consideration before being sent to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for a final decision.

If the council is created, it would act as a voice for the island as a consultee on planning, licensing and highways issues.

Running the new local authority is expected to add an annual charge of about £15 per year to Canvey residents' tax bills.