A COUNCILLOR says a shipwreck should be left alone despite attempts to remove it from near the south Essex coastline.

The SS Richard Montgomery, a US Liberty Ship, sank nearly 70 years ago, carrying 1,400 tons of explosives.

The wreck, off the coast of Sheerness, in Kent, is not far from the beaches of Thorpe Bay and Shoebury.

Now an e-petition on the Downing Street website is calling on the Government to make the wreck safe or remove it.

However, Mike Assenheim, independent councillor for Shoebury, believes it should be left alone.

He said: “This story has been going since the end of the war.

“It’s been said that if there was an explosion it would blow out everyone’s windows in Shoebury, but personally I think it should be left well alone.

“It would cost a hell of a lot to make it safe and I don’t know how they would do it.

“It would be a horrendous upheaval and there are flags and posts warning ships about the wreck. Nothing has happened in all these years and with technology improvements, it is unlikely anything will happen.”

The petition has been created by Ron Angel, who said: “The ship sank 67 years ago, on August 20, 1944, containing 1,400 tons of high explosive, some still in primed condition and liable to explode without warning.

“The wreck also may contain mustard gas or other chemical agents.”

The ship was loaded with munitions when she was grounded on a sandbank.

The Government requires e-petitions to gain 100,000 signatures before issues are debated in the House of Commons.

Mr Angel, from London, has until August 17, 2012, to attract the required number.

To view the petition, visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/13021