A £4,000 gate to deter car cruisers from racing on Canvey is set to be installed next week.

The lockable gate will go up across Northwick Road, close to Morrisons supermarket and the Willow Cemetery on November 17.

Essex Police and Castle Point Council agreed the measure in a bid to stop noisy boy racers flooding the island at night to race their cars.

Ray Howard, county, borough and town councillor said: "We've got to try and deter those people who feel Canvey is the ideal place to race.

"We're a small island, with a sea wall around the perimeter and any noise created is unbearable. We're talking about dozens of vehicles arriving late at night and carrying on into the early hours.

"This was a unanimous decision, but if it doesn't work we will look at other options.

"If we don't try, we won't know."

The gate will be locked at night, though businesses using the road and the emergency services will be given keys.

Mr Howard added: "I've had letters from residents who have loved ones laid to rest in the cemetery there, who've said they expected it to be a quiet place for them to pay their respects, not somewhere used by speeding cruisers."