A NEW survey of the wrecked ammunition ship, the Richard Montgomery in the Thames Estuary, is being carried out during this year, Southend Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said.

He responded to a question from John Croft, the UKIP candidate for Prittlewell Ward in Thursday's local elections.

Mr Croft asked what contingency plans existed should an explosion occur on the wreck.

Mr Holdcroft said: "A survey of the wreck will be carried out during 2008. "The wreck is under 24 hour radar surveillance by Medway Ports.

"Since 1995, nine surveys have been carried out using the latest technology to monitor the condition of the wreck and its immediate environment.

"Any incident relating to the Richard Montgomery would be dealt with under current arrangements in dealing with any major incident."

The US ship sank in the Estuary in August 1944 carrying 1,500 tons of explosives.