ESSEX Fire Service were out working through the night with nearly 200 flood-related incidents recorded yesterday.

In Loughton a tree in High Beach was stuck by lightning and fell blocking Mott Street, while in Buckhurst Hill the Warren Wood pub’s cellar became flooded.

Epping was also affected by floods, and across the county Billericay, Basildon and Thurrock were particularly hard hit.

Flood alerts are still in place across the Lower Lee Tributaries including the Nazeing Brook, and Cobbins Brook.