The district could find itself basking in glorious sunshine this summer, but residents should prepare for thunderstorms and flooding, an Essex weatherman has warned.

Tom Defty, senior forecaster for the Essex Weather and Flood Forecasting Centre, has urged local authorities to prepare for the kind of dramatic scenes seen in Witham last year and to ensure drains are cleared ahead of time.

Mr Defty said a succession of warm winters had created the perfect conditions for thunderstorms in the coming months.

He said: “We have had the sunniest winter in Essex since records began.

“Last year, the biggest problem for Braintree and Witham was the thunderstorms and that’s the same issue we face this year because the sea temperatures are warmer than average.

“You might get six hours warning, but six hours is not enough.”

Parts of Witham were left submerged in September when the town was lashed by several inches of rain and more than 250 lightning strikes in just four hours.

Homes, cars and businesses were left badly damaged by the flash floods.

Mr Defty added: “Seeing what happened in Witham last year, people said it was a once-in-a-25- year event, but it also happened in Southend and elsewhere in Essex.

“I think most of it does come down to keeping the drains clear and making sure they are not blocked.”

He added: “The climate of Essex is changing dramatically. I think by 2050 it will be very different to how it is today.”