Anglian Water have blamed flytipping for ongoing flooding at Grays Beach Park.

The company said the flooding had been caused by rubbish washed up during high tide to their pumping station which protects the park from flooding.

Some of the items “hauled from the lagoon” on Thames Road, Grays, the company said, included wooden pallets, car tyres, a sofa and even a mattress.

The sand play area of the park was closed off on July 26 due to flooding.

It was re-opened on July 29 but had to be closed again on July 31 after new flooding was reported, and despite Anglian Water having said the problem had been fixed.

A spokeswoman said the company had removed the debris which had washed from the lagoon onto the water company’s screen that protects its pumping station.

Residents called the ongoing closures a "disgrace".

Robert Seaman, 25, Rushley Close, Grays, asked how the council had allowed a very popular family destination to fall into such a state of disrepair.

Mr Seaman said: “It's utterly disgraceful. What has happened to the once excellent water park? The sandy beach area is completely flooded and has a disgusting stagnant water smell.

“Families of Thurrock deserve much better, will it take local residents to clean it up as residents had to resort to at the Blackshots playing fields? Would this happen in Southend or Maldon? I think not.”

Councillor Pauline Tolson, Portfolio Holder for Environment said she was “furious” the water was back despite being told the problem was fixed.

Ms Tolson said: "We had to take a team off their usual duties on August 1 to return to Grays Beach Park and re-erect the fencing to ensure the public is kept safe.

"We know our residents want to enjoy our community spaces, particularly during the summer holidays and we should not have to wait days on end for Anglian to find a permanent solution."

Sarah Dobson from Anglian Water said: “It’s thought the items were washed downstream to the pumping station during high tide, causing sea water to flood Grays beach.

“This is not natural debris from the environment and shouldn’t be in the lagoon because unfortunately it reduces the flows of this important watercourse and can have a devastating impact.

“This rubbish has caused sea water to flood Grays beach, forcing the closure of the beach for local families during the summer holidays.

“We’re working hard to keep the screens on our pumping station clear but we’d like the help of residents to spread the word about the problem and the impact this has.”