Southend's Thursday market has been called tomorrow as 70mph winds are set to batter south Essex.

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for the south of the county, which predicts severe gales.

As a result, Southend Council has cancelled its traditional High Street market tomorrow.

The weather warning is in force from 3pm today until 11.50pm tomorrow night.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "A deepening area of low pressure is expected to track northeastwards, passing close to the extreme northwest of Scotland on Thursday.

"To the south of this system, gales or severe gales are expected to develop. Gusts of 50-65 mph are likely quite widely through the warning area, whilst gusts of 75 mph are likely around southern and western coasts and over exposed hills.

"The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to transport and possibly power supplies."