STRONG winds knocked down trees and blew rendering off a house, causing roads to be closed in Harwich and Lawford.

Church Street, in Harwich, was closed last Saturday after rendering had fallen off the side of a cottage during a weekend of strong winds.

A car, parked in Church Street was also covered by the fallen render and a streetlight was damaged.

A large tree was knocked down by the gales in Hungerdown Lane, Lawford, which blocked the carriageway for drivers.

Another large tree which had fallen down blocked Manningtree Road, Dedham.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “Saturday and Sunday were busy days for Essex Highways teams who were working hard to keep the county’s roads open in the high winds.”

He said Essex Highways work crews attended, made safe and made sure the roads were open in numerous places across north Essex.