Homeowners and businesses were counting the cost today after high winds - and were warned to expect more of the same.

About 1,250 homes in Essex were left without power after high winds and falling trees damaged power lines.

Forty houses in the Tolleshunt Knights area were without electricity for most of yesterday, after falling trees took out power lines at around 7.50am.

Engineers were also working to restore supplies to 23 homes in Easthorpe and 16 homes in Alresford.

A spokesman for EDF said: "Our call centre staff have spoken with 3,000 customers."

St Nicholas' Primary School, in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, was closed yesterday after it suffered a power cut but it reopened this morning.

Recycling centres operated by Essex County Council were also closed due to high winds.

A fire engine from Colchester spent the day on Mersea Island to ensure crews could deal with any incident, even if it became cut off by high waters.

Stormy weather is likely to continue battering Colchester later this week.

Gazette weatherman Terry Mayes said the "unsettled" weather would continue, with further storms hitting the region.

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