CANVEY'S longest-serving councillor has pledged his "100 per cent" support to his son who is currently on trial for running brothels.

Ray Howard's son David, 41, is being tried at Southwark Crown Court alongside David's uncle Spencer Rolfe, 61, and mum Adele Lubin, 62, who are Ray Howard's ex-brother-in-law and ex-wife.

Ray Howard, county and borough councillor for Canvey West, said he and Adele had divorced more than 30 years ago and David was staying with him at his home in Canvey Road, Canvey, while the trial goes on.

All three defendants deny controlling, assisting and managing prostitution between December 2006 and April last year.

Lubin is accused of using her beauty and holistic therapy business as a front for a brothel in Hendon, North London, while two other massage parlours were allegedly set up in Harrow and Mill Hill.

All three were arrested after a long police probe where it is claimed undercover police officers were offered sexual services and a female officer was allegedly offered a job as a prostitute.

Ray Howard, 64, said: "David is living back home with me and I am standing by him 100 per cent."

The trial is continuing at the court in London.