WORK to develop a replacement George Hurd pensioners' centre will begin soon.

Basildon Council's ruling Tory group has moved to allay fears the replacement may not be built at Audley Way, Basildon, before the ageing centre in Fauners, Basildon, is torn down.

The fears emerged after councillors removed a legal requirement to build the new centre because of a £300,000 VAT oversight.

However, the Tories now claim the cash crisis has been resolved.

The replacement will take a year to complete and is expected to open next June.