A severe weather is in place for Essex.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for wind across some parts of the county, particularly along the coast, from 6pm tonight. 

A yellow warning for wind and rain remains in place for the whole of Essex. 

Essex County Council has announced street lights will remain on across the county to aid any emergency response needed to the storms.

A Met Office forecast said: "A further period of very strong winds is expected across southern and southeastern counties of England from Friday afternoon, overnight into Saturday morning.

"Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely in the Amber warning area with isolated 80 mph gusts possible along the most exposed parts of the south coast.

"Winds will ease from the west during Saturday morning.

"The public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel as well as trees being uprooted and perhaps damage to buildings.

"The very strong winds will be accompanied by large waves along the south coast and the public should also be aware of these potentially dangerous conditions and also the possibility of coastal flooding.

"This warning accompanies a larger yellow warning. 

"The amber area has been extended to cover other parts of the south east and East Anglia.

"This includes the London area, where gusts of 60 mph or more are likely overnight."

Motorists heading into Suffolk face delays as the Highways Agency plans to close the Orwell Bridge from 10pm.

The bridge, which carries the A14 (A12) over the River Orwell, will remain closed until the winds subside - expected to be at around 6am tomorrow.

Essex Weather Centre tweeted: "Impacts locally could rival 'St Jude's Storm' with travel disruption and uprooted trees. Some structural damage possible."