ALL horses have now been removed from the flood-prone Mardyke land, Thurrock Council has said in a statement.

As of 2pm today, all of the remaining horses on the land had been removed.

The council had agreed with its tenant that the area, which lies adjacent to and beneath the A13 and M25 junction 30, would be horse free between November and March after last year's heavy rain led to the flood plain being under water close to the river for long periods.

Yesterday, campaigners rounded on the council for not acting fast enough once it emerged that the deadline had been missed.

But a council spokesman said today: "Although the original deadline was not met, prompt action from the council at the weekend ensured that the horses were removed and that no further action was necessary.

"Thurrock Council will be monitoring the area during winter."