Clacton Town Centre's water fountain will remain closed while Tendring District Council (TDC) considers the implications of new draft national water quality guidelines.

The Council took the decision to switch off the feature on July 31 after concerns were raised with regard to the effectiveness of the disinfection control equipment.

An expert from the Health Protection Agency agreed to visit the site and prepare a report. At the same time he made the Council aware of new draft guidance for water features due to be published later this year.

The Council is also taking advice from a technical consultant on the issue, and the feature will regrettably remain closed for the foreseeable future.

TDC is keen to emphasise that the fountain is in full working order but has been closed on public health grounds as a precautionary measure.

Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at TDC, said: "However much we might like the fountain to continue in operation; once we are made aware of even the slightest risk to public health we must take action.

"The health and safety of our residents and visitors must always be our number one priority and so long as we still have issues that need to be understood and resolved the fountain will remain switched off."

Cllr Talbot added that the Council is very fortunate to be working so closely with the expert from the Health Protection Agency.

"It was due to that relationship that we were given advance sight of the new guidance that will be coming in very soon," he said. "It has put us ahead in the field in this matter."