WINDS approaching 100mph were recorded in Thurrock last night as the storm took full effect.

Speeds of 95mph were clocked at the top of one of the cranes at Tilbury Docks in the early hours of the morning, according to one dock worker, as the gale reached its peak. 88mph winds were also recorded in Aveley.

Flooding has affected a number of busy junctions including The Treacle Mine roundabout, where routes into Grays from the A1306 have been blocked.

Thurrock Council has cleared more than 50 trees or large fallen branches since the early hours of last night.

Meanwhile train services and roads have been hit with delays and cancellations.

C2C Rail are running services every 30 minutes from most stations. Trains from London are being diverted non-stop around the Tilbury Loop every 30 minutes and there are currently no coast-bound trains calling at West Horndon station.

Services from Fenchurch Street to Grays, via Rainham, are running a 30-minute train service in both directions whilst commuters looking to get into Grays or South Ockendon on the Fenchurch Street to Southend service were delayed, with a 30-minute service in both directions starting from 7.30am.

There will be no additional trains to provide a peak service this afternoon.

In the early hours of the morning a freight train was hit by a falling tree causing delays between Stanford-le-Hope and Grays. There has been flooding near West Horndon, and a tree that was on the line near East Tilbury has now been removed.

The last trains tonight will be:

-          20.20 Shoeburyness to Fenchurch Street via Ockendon

-          21.18 Grays to Fenchurch Street via Rainham

-          21.35 Fenchurch Street to Grays via Rainham

-          21.50 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Ockendon

-          22.00 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Laindon (calls at all stations)

The QEII bridge, that was closed at midday yesterday due to the high winds, only re-opened at 5am this morning.

Thurrock Chief Insp Ben Hodder said: "I would advise people to take extra care and allow more time when travelling. Also check updates with travel and rail before setting off."

Please email any pictures from last night to luke.lambert@nqe.com.

Updates to follow.