A NUMBER of trees, including one that has struck a house, have come down as Storm Henk hit Thurrock this evening (Tuesday, 2 January).

At 3.26pm a tree fell on a house in Second Avenue, West Thurrock, trapping the occupants inside, and firefighters from Grays and Brentwood cut off branches to release them.

Another crew of firefighters from Basildon cut and cleared a tree which had fallen in Orsett Road, Horndon on the Hill around 4pm.

One of the most dramatic incidents is at Lakeside Shopping Centre where the Christmas tree has caught fire following an electrical fault caused by the storm.

At 5.30pm Thurrock Council sources reported at least 20 trees were down across the borough.

The QEII bridge is closed and roads around Lakeside are gridlocked.

Traffic is gridlocked near Lakeside.

Ward Avenue in Grays was closed around 4pm when a large tree crashed across the road, narrowly missing a car.

Residents in the South Grays tower blocks which are cladded with scaffolding are reporting scaffolding boards have 'flown' off the building. Engineers from Axis, the company refurbishing the six blocks, are on site.

Police offers fought a battle to keep a sign at Orsett Cock Roundabout from falling into the road.

Trees have fallen on Waltons Hall Road between Linford and Stanford-le-Hope and it is reported to be blocked.

Firefighters are attending the incident on London Road in Grays and a tree has also come down close to Grays bus station.

At 5pm it was reported a tree has fallen and is blocking Long Lane in Grays.

In Stanford-le-Hope engineers are working on faults at the rail crossing, with London Road blocked.

Emergency teams from Thurrock Council and firefighters are being deployed across the region.