Urgent action must be taken to protect vulnerable children on a Canvey caravan park, councillors have warned.

Fears have been raised about Thorney Bay Park, off Thorney Bay Road.

A Castle Point Council meeting on Wednesday heard cold and poorly-insulated caravans at the site were unsuitable to live in all year round.

There are more than 1,000 caravans, housing about 4,500 people, on the park.

Councillors debated the issue after a meeting earlier this year with the chairman of the Essex Safeguarding Children Board, Simon Hart.

Canvey North councillor Grace Watson tabled a motion urging the council to work with the board to ensure children are not at risk.

Neville Watson, councillor for Canvey Winter Gardens, who seconded the motion, said: “This single issue is probably the biggest which can put this council at risk of failure.

“We mustn’t be in denial about what is happening out there. The caravans in Thorney Bay are going to be cold and it is not ideal conditions for children.

“I am not happy with people being housed at Thorney Bay and the conditions they are being housed in, especially young children.”

Youths living on the park were at risk of alcohol and substance abuse, Mr Hart told councillors.

He said: “Some families have fled domestic abuse and some are still experiencing it.”

In August 2001, Castle Point Council granted consent for caravans on part of the site to be occupied throughout the year.

Conservative member for Boyce, Norman Smith, said: “These caravans were originally for people to go for their holidays six months a year.

“Now we are housing families in the caravans for 12 months a year which are not insulated.

“The sooner we can get properly- built houses on that site the better.”

In 2012, outline planning permission was granted to build 600 homes on the site.

The motion put forward by Mrs Watson was carried.