CALOR Gas has ruled out recruiting another partner to relaunch its bid to build giant liquid natural gas storage tanks on Canvey.

The company pulled out of a public inquiry after Centrica, one of the partners behind a consortium backing the scheme for the Thames Road terminal, pulled out at the eleventh hour.

Calor spokesman, Andrew Ford, said the company would rethink its plans along with remaining partners Osaka Gas and LNG Japan, but will not look for another company to fill Centrica's place.

He said: "We have had a preliminary meeting, but we have a couple of months to make a decision. Everyone involved wants the whole process to start and to carry on as soon as possible.

"We are not looking for a partner and are happy to carry on as we are."

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, said he believed it would be difficult for the remaining partners to take their plans forward without another major backer.

He said: "It could undermine their application because Centrica was their main player and not bringing in a replacement would make it more difficult."

If the company does decide to resubmit its application it will face increased opposition following the explosion at the Coryton refinery last week.