An MP has issued a stark warning about building houses on low-lying ground after heavy rain across the country.

Bob Russell, who is MP for Colchester, said he believed riverside areas of the town could be at risk of flooding if it experienced similar heavy rainfall.

He criticised a decision by the Government to allow an estate of 120 houses to be built on a meadow off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

Mr Russell, who previously described the decision as "stark staring bonkers", said climate change was resulting in thunderstorms and rainfall which the country's drainage system and rivers could not handle.

"Had we in north Essex experienced the level of rain which has fallen in some places, then many houses along the Colne Valley between Halstead and Wivenhoe would have been flooded," he said.

"To build new houses where flooding is a risk beggars belief, but that is what a minister in the Department of Local Government and Communities has done, allowing an appeal by Persimmon Homes to build a new estate off Cowdray Avenue which Colchester Borough Council has refused."

Mr Russell backed the council and residents last year when the planning appeal was held and even spoke against the plan at the hearing.

Paul Gibbs, land director for Persimmon Homes Essex, said: "Our plans for developing the land off Cowdray Avenue were resubmitted earlier this year.

"Three separate firms of independent consultant engineers, The Environment Agency, Colchester Borough Council and the Government's independent inspector were unanimous in deciding that the homes we proposed should be built and would not be subject to flood.

"Our engineers have also designed a scheme to assist with preventing flooding of the surrounding area."