DEFECTING Independent group councillor Allen Mayes has walked straight into a cabinet post after joining the Tories.

In addition to his councillor allowance of £9,021 Cllr Mates will be entitled to claim more than £11,276 for serving in the newly created post of Health and Air Quality portfolio holder.

Cllr Mayes, who was roundly condemned for becoming the first ever Conservative councillor in Tilbury following his change of allegiance, said: "I am proud to have been invited to join the cabinet as portfolio holder for Health and Air Quality.

"These are two areas I feel passionately about and I have been campaigning for better air quality in Tilbury. I can now work on this across the borough in my new role. I look forward to working with the team to build on the good work already happening."

Cllr Mayes had been elected only last May as a candidate for the Thurrock Independent group.

Following the decision announced over the weekend of Tory Cllr James Halden to quit his portfolio covering education and health after announcing irreconcilable differences with Conservative group and council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill - who had asked him to stand down - Cllr Andrew Jefferies will take on the role of cabinet member for education.

Cllr Jefferies said: "I am delighted to have been asked by the Leader to take on the education portfolio. Here in Thurrock we have seen record investment in our schools but there is still more to be done so I look forward to working with everyone to see our schools and colleges go from strength-to-strength."

Meanwhile the chairman of the Thurrock Independent Group, who today saw two more members defect to the Conservative ranks, has delivered a blistering attack on the group that now holds a majority on the authority.

Oliver Smith said: "The Tory Party, who are bankrolled by building developers, have been poaching councilors across the whole chamber to try and ram through their plans to concrete over Thurrock and appease their London masters.

"Promises of portfolio positions and visits to Westminster to meet BoJo have been floated about in their shady attempts to undermine our democracy.

"The people of Thurrock need to join together and make their voices heard against the establishment that don't have the best interests of Thurrock at heart. "