THE Government minister for the Environment joined Tory candidate Giles Watling on the campaign trail in Walton on Friday.

Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, visited the Naze along with General Election hopeful Mr Watling to view the Crag Walk coastal defences and hear about plans for Essex Wildlife Trust’s planned £1million visitor centre at the historic Naze cliffs.

During the visit, Mr Watling called for extra Government funding for new sea defences at the end of Naze.

He said: “There is a sewerage plant at the end of the Naze and the sea defences there have become weak.

“We want to do more to protect them and want the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to support us with this.

“It was great that the minister could come here to see the historic Naze Tower and the defences that have saved it, and hear about the further defence work we want to see take place.”

Ms Truss added that she would take the issue of additional sea defences for the Naze back to the Defra and discuss it with the Environment Agency.

Ms Truss said: “Giles invited me to look at the situation on the coast and see the work that has already been done in terms of coastal defence.

“We have also discussed issues further up the coast where more defences could be needed.

“It is important that coast defences are as good as they can be.

“The Naze is an absolutely beautiful area and is a great place for people to get more exercise - it will be brilliant to have a visitor centre here.

“I have seen the work that other wildlife trusts have done across the country and this will bring many more visitors and schoolchildren to this wonderful place.”