The man in charge of the county's roads lodged a claim against his own council after his car was damaged.

Rodney Bass, Essex County Council cabinet member for Highways and Transportation, told BBC Essex the damage was caused by a "serious defect" on a road.

Cllr Bass' claim was turned down and he would not elaborate on where or when the incident occurred or the extent of the damage.

In the interview he also described the county's roads as being in a “dreadful” state.

He added: “I do have every sympathy with people who suffer damage or injury as a consequence of any problems on the road.

“It is unacceptable that that should be the case.”