Angry Shotley pier supporters have expressed their outrage after learning dozen of planks and other historic pieces of wood are to be sold off by an Essex timber yard for other projects.

Despite many people on the peninsula expressing an interest in taking off-shoots, of unwanted wood from the pier as it was being renovated, the Shotley Pier directors agreed to allow Ashwells, a firm based in Upminster, were told to take metres of the old pier away.

The company is now advertising the much sought after Douglas Fir planks and beams as reclaimed wood which, once registered with a new Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) cerificate, will be resawn and used on projects by other clients.

But Barre Powell, who was one of the group from the beginning looking to return the pier opposite the Bristol Arms to public use, is furious at the original timbers being given away to an outside firm and not reused as part of the renovation.

"This is a waste of thousands in potential revenue" said Mr Powell. "Each plank could have been sawn into equal lengths and sold for £100 apiece all the way along its length and people would have had part of the original pier," said Mr Powell.

"It is claimed there could be bits of metal in the wood but that doesn't stop it being cut up and reused. If this timber firm can do it, then why not on the pier?"

Many Shotley residents harboured hopes of being able to use any off-cuts the pier did not want to be able to use as moments of fund-raising items, either for the pier or other peninsula projects and charities.

Volunteers offered to use their expertise to recycle the wood and make souvenirs but heard nothing back from pier group members.

"What a shame that they have done this," said Saffy Scholes from Shotley Gate. "I would have thought a lot of people here would have wanted a piece as a keepsake at least.

"It as part of our history and I know, people like my husband for example, could have made something useful out of these extra pieces."

Former Ganges boy Ed Martin told Nub News: "What a waste of an opportunity. As far as I can see this lot have squandered huge amounts of money on failed planning applications and now they are giving away the very heritage the pier was known for.

"It is good to see some progress has been made but it has taken five years so far, so goodness knows how much longer it will take."

People wanting to support the group can buy mugs hats or shirts with the pier logo on them.

• John Davitt, chairman of the Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society Ltd, which runs the pier group, has been approached for comment.

Meanwhile, work is being carried out on restoring the neighbouring Admiralty pier, which was used by the Royal Navy when Ganges was open, for training sailors and housed cutters and whalers alongside and on the davits.

This is part of the development for 12 luxury homes on the site of the former boatyard.

• **UPDATE**** Generous gesture by Ashwells