Roads in Wivenhoe are accidents waiting to happen, according to residents.

Former mayor Steve Ford, 55, who is now labour councillor for Wivenhoe Quay ward and lives in Valley Road, Wivenhoe, said he had had many complaints from residents about the state of the roads.

The father-of-two said the roads were crumbling and disintegrating and in places the surface had completely fallen away and was causing damage to cars.

He said: "Valley Road has dropped and sunk in places.

"There are two inch deep holes, which are about 12 inches across in the road and it is falling away at the edges."

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "Work is planned to take place on the road surface areas that Councillor Ford raised concerns over in the coming weeks.

"As this type of road repair needs to be planned, updates on progress can be obtained by contacting the county council direct."