CANVEY was praised for its "live and let live" attitude after a visit from the Minister for Faith.

Minister for Faith, Lord Nick Bourne of Aberystwyth, visited the island on Thursday to meet the Jewish community as part of his faith tour, to discuss how they have integrated into the community since their move in 2016.

Despite recent issues, which saw a young family targeted by antisemitic verbal attacks, the island community was praised for how welcoming the vast majority of residents have been.

Joel Friedman, a prominent member of Canvey's Jewish community, said any issues are a police matter, and are being dealt with by police, insisting the meeting was 95 per cent positive.

The visit saw Lord Bourne meet with member's of the Jewish community, Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris, councillor Ray Howard, and Charedi Jews who travelled from London to attend.

Mr Friedman said: "It was a brilliant visit.

"We had a very positive conversation on why we chose Canvey, how we are settling in, and community cohesion.

"He was very pleased.

"He could tell that we have settled into Canvey well, and that we are integrating ourselves into the community.

"I think obviously it is very hard to become a part of a community if you move on your own as an individual, but it is much harder when you are moving a whole community like this.

"We discussed largely community infrastructure and how that has worked for us, which is well, particularly looking at the school site we took on."

The high property prices in London are forcing the Jewish community out and it chose Canvey to relocate to.

The site of the former Castle View School, in Meppel Avenue, has been transformed by The Charedi community, a branch of the Jewish faith, to include a school, a synagogue and community facilities.

Mrs Harris said: "“I was pleased to welcome Lord Bourne the Minister for Faith on his visit to Canvey Island.

"He was interested to hear how the Haredi community have been settling in and was told how welcoming the vast majority of Islanders have been, with a friendly “live and let live” attitude on Canvey.”