CHARITY volunteers have been left fuming after being told they have to pay £20 to run a stall at Canvey’s Christmas light switch on.

Supporters of the Castle Point British Red Cross have hit out at the “charity tax” which has led them to pull out of having the stall at the event, which is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

The festive funday and light switch on ceremony will be held in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, on Saturday, November 26, and last year attracted 2,000 people.

The Red Cross hoped to use the event to sell off items donated throughout the year, to raise funds for local projects.

However, the charity has refused to pay the council fee and will instead set up a stall outside its own premises in Long Road.

Michael Doxford, 63, who has been a first-aider for the branch for 14 years, said: “I’m furious.

“We were told by Castle Point Council we’d need to have a £20 permit to hold the stall.

“We can’t ask our volunteers, who give up their time for free anyway, to put their hands in their pockets to raise £20 to give to the borough council.

“This was going to be the first time we had held a stall at the switch-on, but we just aren’t going to do it now.

“We’ve held stalls around the town in the past and have never been asked to pay the £20 fee.

“If you are a business and are making a proft then, of course, make them pay, but we aren’t.

“It’s not fair to do this to charities.

“It’s hard enought to make ends meet at the moment. This is a charity tax.”

The charity will have a stall outside its branch on Saturday, December 3.

The Echo approached the council, but it was unable to provide a response.