The future of nearly 1,000 jobs at the Coryton oil refinery in Stanford-le-Hope are in doubt after reports it could close.

Still no buyer has been found for the plant off the Manorway, despite a three-month deadline to find one expiring earlier this week.

Now its reported Vitrol, the world's largest independent oil trader, has pulled out of the running to buy the plant.

The Sunday Times reports Coryton is likely to close and become a storage terminal.

Coryton is one of the largest employers in south Essex and is the biggest provider of petrol and diesel in the south east of England.

Euro-MP Richard Howitt, who had lead the campaign to save Coryton, said: " "Converting Coryton in to a terminal would be a low-grade solution for a high-grade product.

"Although it was always said to be one of the options, I was told in advance operating as a terminal alone would mean the loss of around 80 per cent of the 1,000 jobs on the site, and I have to say this would be a disastrous outcome for all involved.

"I am not giving up hope and the campaign will go on."

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S ECHO