Protesters campaigning against plans for a huge liquefied natural gas store on Canvey hope to reveal the results of a poll of islanders on the issue tonight.

Protest group People Against Methane (PAM) has organised its own referendum to prove the strength of feeling about plans for a 100,000-tonne LNG store at the Calor Gas terminal in Thames Road.

With thousands of votes cast by people all over the island, the results of the referendum will be made known at a meeting tonight at the Concord club, nearby also in Thames Road.

Calor's planning application was turned down by Castle Point Council's planning committee in September, but the firm is expected to appeal early next year, an action which could spark a public inquiry.

PAM volunteers have been out on the streets over the past six weeks getting as many islanders as possible to cast a vote on the issue in an informal referendum.

The votes received have been placed into sealed jars and an official count will be carried out by volunteers tonight - with county and borough councillor Ray Howard overseeing the process.

PAM chairman George Whatley believes the poll will turn out to have involved more islanders an average General Election.

He says the result could be a valuable weapon, if Calor Gas decides to appeal.

Mr Whatley said: "I'm not sure what the voting population of the island is, but we are hoping that around half will have voted - which is a lot more than what you would get at a General Election.

"We have covered about 90 per cent of the homes of the island."

He added: "The result will be a mandate for our group to go forward.

"If there is a public inquiry, we will be making representations and the poll result will be our mandate to speak on behalf of the people."

All Castle Point councillors have been invited to the count, as well as Castle Point MP Bob Spink. The count is also open to the public.

Mr Whatley added: "It is as open as you can get it. People will be able to see for themselves exactly what is going on.

"We are trying to keep it as democratic as possible.

The count starts at 7.30pm.