An elderly woman who had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering breathing problems is today recovering in hospital.

The woman, 88, of South Street, Manningtree, was taken to Colchester General Hospital by the Essex Air Ambulance at about 3.30pm on Monday.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "There was a bit of a problem trying to get a big enough landing site nearby so the helicopter had to land in the High Street. It caused a bit of a commotion."

Police had to close the High Street for 45 minutes.