CANVEY Island has become a global phenomenon, making headlines across the world.

The Canvey Independent Party wanted Canvey Town Council to be a stand alone council rather than answering to Castle Point Council, as originally reported by the Echo.

But several international news blogs got the wrong end of the stick and thought Canvey wanted to become independent from the UK ...much like Catalonia’s ongoing battle to gain independence from Spain.

As a result, councillor Dave Blackwell and his colleagues have been pestered by news organisations from as far afield as Russia - putting the island and its politicians firmly on the international map.

From Spanish TV setting up on Canvey seafront, to the story being reported on Nigerian and Argentinian airwaves, Canvey has become a media sensation, with Mr Blackwell believing that any publicity is good publicity when it is on this scale.

Despite a host of global and even the UK’s national press mistaking the island bid to break away from Castle Point as a call for independence from Great Britain, Mr Blackwell can see the funny side.

He said: “I have just done a live interview on Radio Paris, we had Spanish TV down in the high street and along the seafront.

“As a couple of residents told me, we have put Canvey on the global map, which as far as I am concerned is absolutely great.

“People love the idea that Canvey is being shown up for the amazing little island it is, full of people who truly care about the community.”

The issue has been reignited on the back of the ongoing controversy over fears the Paddocks, in Long Road, will be knocked down and replaced with a new community hall.

Residents and local councillors became frustrated that such key decisions are made by Castle Point Council rather than Canvey councillors.

Mr Blackwell believes the bid has been misconstrued by foreign media and that is why so much has been made of it.

But he added: “It has clearly struck a chord across the world.

“To be honest, everyone is fed up with mainstream politics and we are sending a message loud and clear.”

Veteran Conservative councillor Ray Howard, known as “Mr Canvey”, insisted there is no hope for independence, but he also believes the publicity can only boost the island’s popularity.

He said: “Canvey is a lovely island and I have lived here all my life.

“I can see the humour in this story going global, but back in the real world I cannot ever see it happening.

“It is a bit of fun, but anything that boosts Canvey’s profile is fine by me.”