A war of words has erupted between Canvey 2000 and Castle Point Council over traders' signs.

Dennis Williams, chairman of Canvey 2000, angrily slammed council bosses over their treatment of the island's seafront traders over the Easter weekend.

He criticised a decision to remove pavement signs which have stood on the seafront for over 20 years.

However, council officers hit back saying the signs were illegal and could be dangerous.

Mr Williams was due to meet council bosses to discuss the matter and arrange a formal meeting between Canvey 2000 - a group dedicated to sprucing up the island and seafront - and the council.

A spokesman for the council said: "Unauthorised signs are illegal to put on the pavements under the Highways Act. The traders have been warned about them before and told to put signs on their forecourts and not on the pavement.

"The signs cause an obstacle to people on the pavement. They can also be dangerous because people can trip over them."

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