A SEVERE flood warning has been issued for waterside properties in Mistley and Brantham.

The Environment Agency has issued the warning due to a forecast for high water at 1am on Friday.

Twenty-two severe warnings have been issued for the Anglian region.

There are also flood warnings for Harwich, Dovercourt, Bathside Bay, Parkeston Quay, Ramsey River and Manningtree. 

Essex Fire service is bolstering operational capability around Dovercourt, Clacton, Mersea and Brightlingsea following this morning’s severe flood warning for the coast.

Water rescue teams, the Service’s Urban Search and Rescue crews along with additional pumping appliances and pumps are being moved into the area.

Command centres will operate from Dovercourt, Clacton, Mersea and Brightlingsea.

The Environment Agency and Met Office are warning that gale-force winds, large waves and a tidal surge caused by low pressure will combine with high tides today, throughout Friday and to Saturday morning, bringing a risk of significant coastal flooding.

The agency said in "some places, sea levels could be as high as those during the devastating floods of 1953". However, it added flood defences built since then – including the Thames, Deptford and Hull Barriers – mean that many parts of the country are much better protected than in 1953.