THE centrepiece to a community garden created after 18 months of fundraising could soon be demolished.

The £21,000 fountain at the Heritage Gardens on Canvey seafront was introduced by Canvey 2000 in June 1999.

Donations from the public and other organisations, including Essex and Suffolk Water, Essex County Council and £3,000 from the Echo, helped fund the fountain and gardens, which were intended as a peaceful oasis for residents.

But the gardens became neglected after the regeneration charity folded last year because of a lack of volunteers.

The fountain was frequently out of action because of problems with the pump and no one, including Castle Point Council, seemed to take responsibility for maintaining the area.

Now those who were involved in the project have been told the fountain is likely to be ripped out by the council and replaced with a more easily maintained flowerbed.

Dennis Williams, 62, founder of Canvey 2000, and a former Castle Point mayor, said: "I am astounded.

"After all the work we put in on this, I don't know how they can do it. It will cost them more to bulldoze the fountain and make a flowerbed than it would to replace the pump.

"It is a nice feature for people and all it needs is a bit of repairing. I am very angry about this."

Christine Andrews, Canvey Town Council member for Canvey East, is also a former member of Canvey 2000.

She said: "I am absolutely disgusted by this.

"It is an absolute let down for the people of Canvey. The town council has already made it known it wants to be responsible for the gardens because we want to have a nice area for Canvey, but then they go and do this."

Resident Rodney Cowley, 62, of Helden Avenue, Canvey, said: "It was supposed to be part of a sensory garden for people with disabilities to enjoy. This council is just a waste of space.

"They have wasted thousands on attempting a housing stock transfer and now they want to bulldoze a fountain."

However, Ray Howard, county and borough councillor for Canvey West, said there were signs the fountain could be granted a stay of execution.

He said: "I have agreed with council officers that this will be put on hold.

"We will hold more talks about it before it goes ahead."