An MP has called for pubs to be given protected status to stop them being turned into supermarkets.

Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle Point, spoke out in Parliament after the closures on Canvey of the King Canute and the Silver Jubilee.

The Silver Jubilee has been turned into a Morrisons M Local store, while the King Canute remains empty after pub chain JD Wetherspoon pulled out of talks.

During a debate about pubs and planning legislation, Mrs Harris said she wanted to save local pubs. She said: “Two particular closures in my constituency have caused enormous controversy and upset.

“The King Canute is an historic building, highly valued by the community. It is intrinsic to the history of Canvey, unusual and quirky.

“We have been told it is likely to become a Co-op but, despite assurances, there is no guarantee we will even keep the building, which is beloved of residents and a treasured community asset.”

On the Silver Jubilee, she said: “The closure came as a great surprise because there was no evidence the pub was not successful.

“It seems it simply was not turning sufficient profit for the big firms, who have been able to convert it to a mini-Morrisons.”

Mrs Harris now hopes the King Canute will be protected from redevelopment. She added: “The law gives no protection against demolition, other than the good will of the owners.

“I am lobbying to get the building listed as a heritage asset, even though it is not in itself very historic or special.”

However, Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Group, said pubs could not be realistically saved unless they were well-used.

He said the supermarket which replaced the Silver Jubilee was popular among residents.

He said: “They were both losing money, and, to be honest, residents are over the moon Morrisons are there instead of a pub. I could understand if it was a small, rural pub, but Canvey has still got four pubs and I think we have to move on.

“The Silver Jubilee and King Canute would have closed anyway because it was a financial issue.”