RESIDENTS are upset a 30ft-high tree that took pride of place on Canvey seafront has been cut down.

The old maple tree has stood in Eastern Esplanade, opposite Lubbins car park, for more than 40 years.

But on Thursday it was chopped down by Essex Tree Services, on behalf of Castle Point Council, who said it was diseased.

But Canvey councillor Dave Blackwell and other local residents said they were sad to see it go and were not convinced anything was wrong with the tree.

Mr Blackwell, who runs a nursery on the island, said: "It was a wonderful tree and it did not look diseased. It has always been a feature on Canvey seafront.

"We're losing too many mature trees on Canvey. They can plant new ones, but they will take years to grow again."

John Potter, 58, of May Avenue, Canvey, said: "That tree gave character to the seafront. It should have stayed. There was nothing wrong with it as far as I could see.

"The area looks a bit barren now."

Richard Smith, who manages Buddy's Bar, which looks out on where the tree stood, said he also believed there was no need for the tree to have been cut down.

He said: "There must have been 20 people stood in the bar when they were cutting it down, all saying it was a shame.

"I can understand them cutting another one down nearby because it had split, but the only reason I think they have cut that one down is because there is planning permission to build flats opposite and the tree would have blocked the view."

Developer Roger Thipthorpe was granted planning permission in September 2007 to build a three-storey block of 32 flats on the site opposite where the tree stood.

But Ray Howard, Castle Point councillor responsible for the environment, strongly denied any connection.

He said: "That tree was blighted and we are going to replace it."