Essex fire crews receive 70 flood calls in three hours

Colchester Road in Halstead was flooded on Monday

A fire service said it received about 70 calls in three hours as a result of flash flooding due to heavy rain.

Essex Fire Service said the areas affected on Monday included the Epping Forest district, Chelmsford, Braintree and Halstead.

Loughton tube station was closed because of heavy flooding, according to TFL.

Roads in Buckhurst Hill also saw several inches of water, the fire service said.

Crews were involved in pumping flood water from about 12 houses in Rous Road, and six houses in Boxted Close, in Buckhurst Hill.

They were still at the scene at 22:00 BST.

Station manager Dave Bond said: "Crews are working extremely hard and we want to reassure residents that have been affected that we are doing this as quick as we can."

Roads in Buckhurst Hill saw several inches of rain after a sudden downpour

Colchester Road in Halstead was difficult to pass