A campaigner fighting Calor's proposal to store liquid natural gas on Canvey says the plan is "a terrorist's dream".

Members of protest group People Against Methane (Pam), painted a bleak picture of the high risks residents faced when the issue was raised at a local forum meeting organised by Essex County Council.

Calor's application to convert its Thames Road liquid petroleum gas storage facility to hold liquid natural gas was turned down by Castle Point Council in September.

Calor now has until March 13 to appeal against the decision.

Pam campaigner Pete Jolley said after the meeting he hoped the level of local opposition would convince the company to abandon its plans.

He explained: "I would like to think Pam's small contribution would make Calor think again.

"My main concern is terrorism. This is a terrorist's dream. If they are built, these things will be the new Twin Towers."

Earlier, Pam chairman George Whatley had told the South Essex Forum meeting the Government had no proper policy for such installations and failed to specify safe distances for homes and schools.

Mr Whatley added the nearest house to the Thames Road site was just 200 yards away and asked: "How can an application for a top-tier site be considered, in the absence of a safe siting policy?"

Describing the widespread effects of a vapour cloud explosion, he said: "There is no known way to stop a large spill of LNG, or an unconfined vapour cloud shooting from the spill.

"There is also no known way to stop it exploding, if that cloud finds an ignition source.

"I believe the hazards outweigh the national economic interest and the profit of the Calor consortium. People's lives are more important."

Mark Samuels, petrochemical officer for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said his organisation had to remain neutral on the issue, but had looked at all the possible hazards, especially after the Buncefield oil depot fire.

Representatives from Calor were asked to speak at the meeting, but declined to attend.