The pontoon in Burnham has suffered "considerable damage" due to heavy winds caused by Storm Eunice, with its entire length starting to lift away.

Officers at Maldon District Council were alerted to the damage by residents at around 3pm this afternoon (Friday, 18 February), and have now confirmed that the end of the T-shape has come away.

Maldon District Council is set to consider a £60k scheme to renovate the pontoon next Thursday (24 February) - it is currently unclear how the proposal may be affected by the damage.

Residents are being urged to avoid the area as it remains unsafe to access.

Richard Holmes, head of paid service at the council, said: "Storm Eunice has caused considerable damage to the pontoon at Burnham.

"The end of the T shape has come away and sadly due to the extreme weather conditions it wasn't safe or possible to retrieve the broken parts.

"The entire length of the pontoon has started to lift and there are gaps where sections have come away.

"The full extent of the damage will be assessed by the manufacturer as soon as they are able to visit the site.

"We urge people to not attempt to visit the pontoon area. The pontoon will remain closed whilst it is unsafe for public access. The gate to the site is now secured."

A red warning was in place across Burnham and Dengie from 10am to 3pm today, meaning "flying debris could result in a danger to life".

An amber warning remains in place and across Essex as the storm, one of the worst to hit the UK in decades, causes major disruption.

Power cuts have been reported across the district - including Burnham, Maldon, Heybridge and Tillingham.

Venues across the district have remained shut today, including the Maldon and Althorne branches of the Promenade Petting Zoo.

Hearing Help Essex was due to hold a support session at St Peter's Hospital in the morning, but this had to be cancelled due to the strong winds.

Waste and recycling collections scheduled to take place in the afternoon were cancelled.

The amber warning will remain in place until 9pm this evening.

A spokesperson for the district council said: "With the wind expected to reduce this evening, please continue to remain safe and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

"Our teams will be out over the next few days helping to clear up after Storm Eunice and return services to normal."

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