A MUCH-LOVED children's summer attraction is still closed to the public, more then three weeks after its usual opening time.

The pool, a sandpit and play area at the Paddocks in Long Road, Canvey, opens every year in time for the Spring Bank Holiday and half term school break at the end of May, then closes at the end of August.

But it has yet to open this year while contractors working for Castle Point Council carry out repairs, repaint the pool and replace the sand in the sandpit.

Canvey councillor John Anderson said: “It only opens for about 12 weeks so it has already been shut for more than a quarter of that.

“Local youngsters are missing out on a great facility.

“The work should have been done before it was due to open.”

Chief executive David Marchant said the work had now been finished.

He said: “The pool is currently being filled and will be inspected to ensure that everything is safe before reopening.”