Seafront amusement park closes after 20 years

Leisure Island Fun Park announced its closure on Facebook

A seafront amusement park has closed after two decades.

Leisure Island Fun Park on Canvey Island, Essex, announced its closure on social media but did not give reasons.

The attraction had already stopped operating, but it had previously hoped to carry out refurbishments and reopen.

Fantasy Island - which is a neighbouring attraction which features an arcade and a children's activity centre - is still open.

The former amusement site has now been cleared of all rides and facilities

Leisure Island Fun Park had more than 20 rides and attractions on Eastern Esplanade, but the business said these had all been cleared.

In its statement, it thanked everyone who had supported the business and the "nearly 3,000 members of staff" who had worked at the park over the years.

"As everyone knows, 95% of our staff were 16 and 17-year-olds and started their working life at the park," it added.

"It's so sad we have had to close the park but hopefully we have created loads of memories for the families that visited us."

In September, Leisure Island Fun Park said a fire broke out at the site, causing damage to its toilet block, first aid room, baby changing area and compactor area.

Derek Gray, who owns the neighbouring Fantasy Island amusement park, hopes another leisure facility will one day occupy the neighbouring vacated site

Next to the park is Fantasy Island, which runs an amusement arcade, outdoor fun park, a dessert shop, a beach bar restaurant, a children's activity centre and a family-friendly sports bar.

Fantasy Island is owned by Monico Leisure, and director Derek Gray insisted Canvey seafront was still "moving forward".

"We are getting more and more support of people coming down here and enjoying live facilities," he said.

"People are getting confidence back in the area."

Mr Gray said he would like to see another leisure facility on the vacant site for the use of local people and day-trippers.

The BBC contacted Leisure Island Fun Park and Castle Point Borough Council for comment.