MP Gordon Henderson has quizzed government ministers over whether terrorists might target the shipwreck packed with explosives off the Isle of Sheppey.

The Tory submitted a written question to the transport secretary about the steps being taken to protect the bomb-laden SS Richard Montgomery – two-miles off the Island’s coast.

The vessel is packed with 1,400 tons of munitions and is lying at an average depth of just 15 metres.

Replying to Mr Henderson, parliamentary under-secretary Robert Goodwill said the Medway Port Authority provides 24-hour surveillance of the wreck, both visually and by radar, and carries out patrols in the area.

He added: "Incursions, and incidents likely to result in an incursion, are reported immediately to the police and to HM Coastguard so that appropriate specialist support can be provided."

But Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club member Tim Bell has called the response "bog-standard" and inadequate.

Mr Bell, who has written extensively on the risks associated with the Montgomery, said: "That is the same answer they’ve done for the last 40 years.

"Anyone can get up to it, what about the paddle boarder posing for pictures touching its mast this summer? It makes a bit of a mockery of the patrol boats.

"A paddle boarder could have easily dropped some Semtex with a timer on to the wreck.

"Still, the biggest risk to the Montgomery is a ship collision."

However, despite the raising the issue about the ship’s security, Mr Henderson said he does not personally believe there is any risk from terrorists, such as Isis.

He said: "Yes, you can get someone in a kayak going out there.

"But my understanding, having spoken to an explosives expert five-years-ago, the nature of the armaments on it mean it would be difficult to blow them up anyway.

"They are bombs which are dropped from a great height and unless you do that, they will not go off."