THE masts of a sunken Second World War ship which poke above the water in the Thames Estuary will be removed urgently due to “severe degradation” and fears they could fall onto deadly explosives.

The SS Richard Montgomery, a Second World War shipwreck five miles off the Southend Coast, sank in 1944 with 1,400 tonnes of explosives aboard.

Major concerns have been raised that if the masts fall and hit the wreck, it could cause a “deadly explosion”.

Now, it has been revealed the masts will be removed “as soon as possible” after a recent inspection found they are “severely degrading”.

The masts are the only visible part of the ship and have become an attraction and key feature in tourist tours off the coast of Southend.

Lydia Hyde, Southend Labour councillor for St Laurence ward, said: “It is not going to be an easy challenge, it was something they hoped they could leave for some time, but the Maritime and Coastguard Agency did a full inspection back in November.

“That found that degradation of the masts is more severe than they initially thought so they do need to take those masts down.

“It is one of those things. It is not something they would like to take the risks of having to remove them but if one fell that could cause a problem. They need to do it safely.

“It is scheduled to be removed in March and it will be just the masts that will be coming down.

“I am sure that will be quite strange not having those sticking out the water anymore. But the wreak will still be marked up on the surface so we can tell where that is still.”

Experts previously said an explosion would cause a tidal wave which could cause devastation along the Essex and Kent coastlines.

The ship sunk off the coast of Southend in 1944 after it became beached.

There were talks previously in 2022 of removing the masts but this is now going to be accelerated following an inspection in November.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Our priority will always be to ensure the safety of the public and reduce any risk posed by the SS Richard Montgomery.

“We commissioned experts to carry out vital surveying work to the wreckage. Based on their findings, we are now reviewing and updating our plans to remove the ship’s masts as soon as safely as possible.”