JUST over a month after the explosion and fire that severely damaged part of the Port of Tilbury's grain terminal, it will resume handling grains again next week.

The explosion, that seriously damaged a number of silos at the Thames riverside terminal, was heard across Thurrock and it was deemed a miracle that no-one was hurt in the blast.

Now the port's commercial manager, Peter Ward, says things are about to start to return to normal.

He says: "We are pleased to confirm that following the explosion at the Tilbury Grain Terminal on Friday, 3 July we are, from Monday, 10 August, commencing a phased start-up of operations at the terminal.

"Grain handling and storage services are also operating fully through the availability of on-site storage complemented by increased capacity at our significant offsite storage facility.

"This phased return to full operations is a credit to our port team and their fantastic effort to restore the facility during these challenging times. Our thanks to our customers for their continued support as we work towards a return to full operations during next week.

"A comprehensive investigation is continuing into the cause of this incident but we do not expect to know the outcome of this for some time."