Essex council leaders have written to London council leaders highlighting concerns over homeless people from the capital being rehoused in the county.

Signed by the Essex Leaders and Chief Executives Group, the letter warned of a lack of communication from London authorities about people being moved into the area and claimed families were being placed in inadequate housing.

Chairman of the group, Neil Stock, who is also leader of Tendring DC, said: ‘So far efforts by individual Essex councils to draw this to the attention of London boroughs and the Mayor of London have largely been ignored, which is why as a group of leaders we have taken the decision to send this letter.

‘We now hope that those in power in London sit up and take notice, and work constructively with us to resolve these issues.'