SATURDAY afternoon and evening's (28 October) deluge of rain caused flooding in several areas across Thurrock.

Worst hit was Tilbury where Dock Road and other roads were under water and a number of houses and shops were flooded, with residents on the Poets' estate reporting a number of places where carpets and furniture were damaged.

There was also flooding in parts of Stanford-le-Hope, close to the town centre, though it is not believed any damage was caused to homes.

Thurrock Council has been asked to comment on the local situation. The authority has a number of areas in the borough where there is problematic surface drainage, but it has been recorded that officers have conceded they do not have the resource to deal with matters pro-actively.

The issues of surface water, particularly, in Stanford-le-Hope, have been identified in the soon-to-be-published local plan.

A report to councillors earlier this year highlighted a flood risk assessment that spelled out how vulnerable the borough is.