ISLANDERS and visitors faced lengthy waits after a spring tide covered The Strood with water.

It reached a height of 5.54m at 1.22pm on Saturday and while some accepted the delays others were less patient.

Eyewitness Keith Savill said: "With the recent warnings of high tides, some drivers still tried to cross the Strood to Mersea Island at spring high tide.

"The result was a driver stuck for approximately 45 minutes surrounded by the ever deepening water.

"Other drivers, in vehicles more suitable for such conditions, braved the rising water to cross to the mainland.

"Long delays resulted with cars backed up on to the island and on the mainland side while they waited to cross."

The previous day the Strood was closed to take away the decision from drivers.