THE leader of Tendring Council has spoken about his ambitions for the district over the next year.

Mick Page took over the helm after predecessor Peter Halliday sensationally quit following a rant at his Tory colleagues last December.

The 68-year-old has pushed ahead with plans to invest in sports facilities, but said his hopes for regeneration in Harwich had been harder than he thought.

“We haven’t got industrial land that we really need and the people we are relying on have been very slow in bringing their land forward.

“We are now in major negotiations with various other companies to start regeneration along the A120 corridor.

“But it’s taking time to get things in place.”

Mr Page said he had also taken an active role in ensuring the High Lighthouse in Harwich continued to be a tourist attraction, overseeing its lease to the Harwich Society.

He added work was also under way to ensure Dovercourt’s skating rink was leased out and back in operation before the summer.