A COUNCIL will be handing out free sandbags and sand to residents tomorrow – in case flooding returns to the district.

Rochford Council will be providing the bags at BSG Buildbase on the Purdeys Industrial Estate on Friday, February 14.

Residents will need to take proof of residency with them, such as a council tax or utility bill.

They will not be expected to pay for them, just to sign for them.

Deputy leader of the council, Keith Hudson, said: “Because of the exceptional weather conditions we are experiencing at the moment, following urgent discussions with our officers this afternoon, Rochford District Council has approved this move to help residents all that we possibly can.”

David Cameron said that councils should not charge residents for sandbags earlier today.

Rochford Council also called a meeting on Wednesday afternoon with partner agencies to discuss the response to flooding issues.

The meeting was a move to work more closely with Anglia Water, Essex County Council’s Highways department and the Flooding Partnership manager at Essex County Council to find joint solutions to tackle flooding.