CASTLE Point Council has been accused of charging young people "exorbitant" fees to get them off the streets and using a bowls club in Benfleet.

David Fulcher, a member of South Benfleet Bowls Club, in Brook Road, says its three young cadets have to find £36 a year to play. In Southend the fee is just £20.

Mr Fulcher says this does nothing to encourage youngsters to take up a sport, rather than hanging about on the streets.

He said: "Why charge 13 and 14-year-olds such an exorbitant amount just to use the green? We have been visiting schools and trying to get more youngsters interested in it, but this does not help.

"It is a great sport which teaches discipline and manners because there is a lot of etiquette involved in it. It makes no sense."

Mr Fulcher said he has asked Castle Point MP Bob Spink to intervene.

Dr Spink said: "It is quite wrong and counterproductive and costs us more in the end, to charge high fees - almost twice what Southend charges - for youngsters to get involved in sports. After all, we pay one of the biggest council taxes in the country."

Ray Howard, Conservative county and borough councillor for Canvey West, said: "I will certainly look into this, but we are subject to audit and can't just give stuff away. I do sympathise, though.

"Teaching this wonderful sport to youngsters should be encouraged."