THOUSANDS of lightning strikes hit the UK in the second major storm since May.

The Met Office reported an estimated 5,000 struck the ground in the 24 hours leading up to 8am this morning.

But while some parts of the country have been issued with a yellow weather warning, the worst should be over for Colchester and Tendring.

Elle Murphy, 24, was one of thousands of residents reluctantly woken up by the roar in the early hours of this morning.

The Essex University student was kept awake for nearly two hours.

She said: "It was crazy. It sounded like an explosion was going off.

"Each time I looked out of my window, the sky kept lighting up.

"My windows were closed but I felt like I was in the middle of an apocalypse.

"I don't know how anyone would've slept through it.

"I just wanted it to end so I could go back to sleep."

While some people took advantage of the photo opportunity, others  decided to cower away in the safety of their duvet.

Beth Bradshaw, 25, of Colchester, said: "I was so scared."

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Highwoods - Andy Lee took this at about 3.30am 

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Photo: Gary Moore

Were you woken up by the storm? Send us your photos to ecnphotos@newsquest.co.uk.