NEARLY 1,000 potholes have been filled in Thurrock.

In February, Thurrock Council voted to spend an extra £50,000 of its budget on repairing the roads across the borough.

So far, workers have filled in 919 smashing the 500 the council expected to fill with the cash.

Council leader John Kent said: “At February’s budget meeting I asked council to agree spending an extra £50,000 in March to target the alarming number of potholes appearing in our roads.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved. We were promised at least 500 and I have been told that we filled 919 up until the end of play on Tuesday, March 26.

“I think 1,000 in the month might be expecting a bit too much, but I also believe everyone has seen an improvement.”

Mr Kent said they would be trying to keep up with the repairs but the harsh weather was having an effect.

He added: “There are still potholes appearing, but as we said in February, that’s a national problem and down to the weather. The weather’s not improved, so it is not surprising that new holes are appearing.

“This is something the council will be keeping an eye on, but we should recognise that good work has been done.”