THURROCK mayor Cllr Sue Little has apologised for any offence caused by a possible interpretation of a remark she made against Indian wedding guests and participants at a borough venue.

However, she has won support for her stance against noise, inconvenience and traffic danger caused by visitors to a marquee at Orsett Showground.

Earlier today (Friday, 25 August) Thurrock Nub News highlighted concerns over a remark about 'elephants' in a letter by Cllr Little to a council director as part of her campaign to oppose retrospective planning permission for a function marquee.

This evening Cllr Little has apologised and issued the following statement: "I have been made aware that my recent email about noise nuisance could be insinuated to be discriminatory.

"I am sorry for any offence it may have caused, that certainly was not the intention. It was to raise a concern about noise nuisance nothing else!

"As Mayor, I represent all the residents of Thurrock no matter their race or creed. I stand by our motto: 'by Thames to the people of the World' and I gladly attend and celebrate the diverse cultures of Thurrock residents."

Many Orsett residents have taken to social media to share complaints about anti-social behaviour caused by function guests in the village and footage has emerged of one wedding parade at an event at Orsett Hall Hotel which featured high-powered cars and people letting off flares.