ARTS groups fear Basildon will become the Essex's "poor cultural relation" if the council fails to reinstate an essential arts job.

Around 50 artists have handed Basildon Council a petition demanding the immediate hiring of a new arts development officer.

Funding for the post was withdrawn earlier this year when Tim Balogun left.

The council blamed budget cuts, but the decision still outraged local arts groups who responded by organising the petition.

Vin Harrop, chairman of the Foundation of Essex Arts, and Aden Hynes, the Laindon sculptor responsible for the golden masks which have dominated the stage at the recent Bafta awards, are leading the campaign.

Mr Harrop said: "We call on Basildon Council to not let our town become the poor cultural relation in Essex.

"It should rethink its strategy for the arts, so it has one which shows a much greater commitment towards culture in the community.

"We are a strong body of opinion within the artistic community of Basildon and we deplore the council's decision to end the essential post of arts development officer."

The petition praises the work of Mr Balogun and his predecessors.

"They stimulated the the artistic community into action on many community projects, which have received both regional and national recognition," it says.

"It is hard to think how this can continue without someone dedicated to do this work.

"Just when there is talk of regenerating and invigorating the whole community our town will be the poorer without someone to ensure that culture drives the regeneration process."

Malcolm Buckley, Tory leader of the council, said had continued to pump cash into the arts.

He said: "Basildon invests a great deal in the arts and the changes at the Towngate Theatre in the past year are a good example.

"The arts development officer post was already vacant at the time it was cut, so I doubt anyone would have noticed the difference."

He pointed to several arts programmes the council was still funding, including the Boom Room, an event at which youngsters could learn DJing and MCing at the Towngate.