The decision to shut the region's offices in Brussels once described as a council leader as "important for business" has been dubbed "blinkered".

Although officially the future of the East of England's regional office in Europe is still "being considered", it is believed they will be shut down partly by Essex County Councillors.

The office was established in 1998 as a means to represent the views of local organisations with the UK's European allies.

The move has been strongly criticised by Labour MEP Alex Mayer, who described the decision as “short-sighted and ideologically blinkered.”

The East of England MEP said: “This is not the time to pull the plug on funding a success story, rather this is precisely the time to invest.

“Plan A Brexit, Plan B Brexit, hard Brexit or no-Brexit, as a region we will still want to do business with other European regions.

“So why throw down the drain experience, contacts and good will?”

Earlier this month Cornwall announced its regional office would be kept open through a funding boost.

The apparent decision to shut the offices comes just over two years after Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of the county council, declared the offices would remain open post Brexit.

At the time he said: "Given the huge complexities of Brexit, our region needs a presence in Brussels more than ever. Brussels and the EU haven’t gone away, but we have to ensure that we take advantage of the opportunities that are in Europe as we establish a new relationship.

"We have learned from the Norwegian and Swiss regional offices that we work very closely with that there are many benefits to maintaining a strong presence in Brussels.

"The East of England is known for its entrepreneurship and growing business economy and it is important that our Brussels office is there to support them in trading with the EU in future."

“We shall be looking to increase business membership and ensure that they have a leading voice at the heart of the EU to enable businesses in the East to be ahead of the game in trade and help to increase jobs and contracts with the EU as well as the rest of the world.”

Ms Mayer argued closing the offices would damage European business dealings in Essex.

She said: “We are putting up sign saying Essex is closed.

“This is so deeply sad for a county that offers gateways to the world through our leading airport and ports, its University and exporting companies.

“We risk being left behind.”

The county council refused to confirm the office was closing or say how many people risked losing their jobs.