AN uncovered manhole has sparked concerns about the safety of children at a popular park.

Steve Hobart, 57, came across the deep hole in the ground while he was walking his dog in the Kent View Recreation Ground, in Vange.

It is believed the cover may have been stolen.

The find comes just weeks after the Echo reported on a two-year-old boy who narrowly missed serious injury after falling down a manhole on Canvey.

Mr Hobard, of Littlethorpe, Vange, said “I was quite shocked when I found the man hole.

“This is a big concern as this is a busy recreation ground with families, youngsters and dog walkers.

“It is a large and very deep manhole and somebody or an animal could fall down the hole and it would be very difficult for them to get out again.

“I don’t really understand how it has happened really, I don’t know why someone would steal a manhole cover if that is what has happened.

“I am surprised that there is not some kind of locking device on the cover to prevent this."

Kevin Blake, Basildon, councillor responsible for parks, has vowed to work alongside Anglian Water- which is responsible for the manhole- to get repairs carried out urgently.

He said:"I don't know why someone would steal a manhole over. We need residents to report things like this so we can get them sorted.

"As a dog walker I'm very worried."

At the end of June Kirsty Sealey, from Canvey, was walking along a path in Furtherwick Road with her son Jesse when a manhole cover collapsed under him.

He was able to grab hold of the side of the hole to prevent himself falling, but suffered grazes and bruises.

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: “We have a member of staff attending this site immediately to carry out an emergency inspection and repair on the manhole cover in Kent View Recreation Ground.

“We are responsible for 750,000 manhole covers in East Anglia which we regularly inspect, but we rely on the public to inform us of any damaged manhole covers so we can get to them and repair them as quickly as possible. Damaged or missing manhole covers can be reported to us by calling 03457 145 145 or through Facebook or Twitter.”