COUNCIL bosses say Tendring escaped the worst of the damage and disruption caused by Storm Doris yesterday as it battered the coastline.

Hundreds of homes lost power and rush-hour motorists were affected by fallen trees.

But problems were less serious than in some other parts of the country.

At one point 1,500 homes in the Lawford and Manningtree area lost power but it was restored by early evening.

In the Little Clacton, Wrabness and Ardleigh areas about 250 properties were still affected by a loss of power by the time Tendring Council's emergency response centre closed following the worst of the storm at 8.30pm.

This morning 17 homes in Ardleigh and 27 in Wrabness were still without power.

The council dealt with 18 fallen trees across the district.

Traffic was delayed in Station Road, Thorpe, due to a tree on an electricity line which was dealt with by UK Power Networks.

Council staff also cleared a fallen tree near Tesco on the A133.

A swinging connection box on a telegraph pole in Bentley Avenue in Jaywick was reported to BT.

Council spokesman Nigel Brown said: “It was a long day for a number of staff who remained on duty but fortunately we seem to have escaped some of the more serious damage experienced in others parts of the country.

“It will now be a case of clearing up any of the debris still left following the storm.”