A COUNCIL has been urged to take urgent action to clean up Canvey Lake.

Walker and amateur wildlife photographer Graham Lister, 51, was appalled when he spotted supermarket trolleys, a mobility scooter and even an armchair dumped in the lake.

Canvey Town Council took over responsibility for the waterway from Castle Point Council almost 12 months ago, with the aim of turning it into a pleasant area for residents to enjoy.

But Mr Lister, of Tabora Avenue, Canvey, said it was high time the council delivered on its promises.

He said: “It was horrendous. To see wildlife swimming among supermarket trolleys was appalling.

“I thought Canvey Lake would make a nice walk but in the end I was glad to get home.

“It’s potentially a lovely little area for all sorts of wildlife, but to see how it is now brings shame on Canvey, it’s just a terrible eyesore.”

The council has a budget of £180,000 to spend on improving the lake and there are plans for a clear out.

Dave Blackwell, chairman of the council’s finance committee, said: “Giving that lake a thorough professional cleanout is the first thing we are going to do in the early spring.

“At the moment the weather is not right, but we’ve got the budget for it and it’s on the programme of works.”

The council is also hoping residents will step forward and join its Friends of Canvey Lake group to help with the upkeep of the area.

Mr Blackwell added: “The trouble is you pull out a trolley and the next week another one is back in there.

“If we can get residents to help keep an eye on the place it may help, or the other option is hiring a firm to clean it up on a regular basis.”

Canvey Town Council took over responsibility for the lake in February last year and plans to spend some £800,000 on it over five years.

Plans include dredging the lake, installing a new footpath and constructing a children’s playground and skate park.