Part of a roof has collapsed at a hotel in Maldon as Storm Eunice continues to batter the town, with an amber warning for "extremely strong winds" currently in place.

Firefighters were called to the Blue Boar Hotel, on Silver Street, at 12.14pm today (Wednesday, 18 February) following reports of roof damage, after a rare "danger to life" red warning was issued by the Met Office for Essex.

On arrival, crews confirmed that a chimney stack on the hotel's roof had been struck by high winds.

It was subsequently blown off and had gone through the roof of the building.

There was also a gazebo in the venue's courtyard which, firefighters said, was in a "dangerous position".

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters worked together with our USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) team to make the scene safe, and dismantled the gazebo to prevent further risks.

"They confirmed the building was safe at 1:08pm."

The red warning - meaning "flying debris could result in danger to life" - remained in place from 10am to 3pm today.

Shops across the town have shut, alongside all local branches of Farleigh Hospice, the vaccination centre at the Maldon District Council offices and the Promenade Petting Zoo.

Waste and recycling collections have also been cancelled for the rest of the day.

The amber warning will remain in place until 9pm this evening.

The Met Office has said there continues to be "a good chance that flying debris could result in danger to life", alongside damage to buildings and homes.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council said: "Where possible, we are advising against all travel unless it is essential, due to the increased risk of falling branches and flying debris caused by the wind."

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