MALDON is starting the week with the threat of high winds and heavy rain.

The unseasonal conditions, which the town had a taste of last week, are expected for up to 15 hours on Tuesday (25 August) through to the early hours of Wednesday - and are part of weather havoc expected to be caused by Storm Francis.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for high winds across the east of England from 9am until midnight on Tuesday and then until midday on Wednesday.

However, for Maldon specifically, the worst winds will hit from 11am on Tuesday until 2am on Wednesday – with gusts ranging from 40 to 47 miles per hour. Heavy rain is forecast for 8am to 11am on Tuesday, coming just before the winds begin.

A yellow weather warning means that disruption to travel is possible, especially on exposed routes.

For those looking forward to August Bank Holiday (Monday, 31 August), things currently look a little brighter for the town – the forecast indicates dry conditions with sunny intervals and a gentle breeze.