On-call firefighters from Maldon went to the rescue of Great Notley residents when the River Brain burst its banks last night (Thursday, 14 January).

The Maldon team arrived with specialist equipment to spend around three hours helping Braintree crews and the Environment Agency pump water away from 12 homes.

Station Manager Steve Wintrip from Braintree Fire Station said: "Crews worked really hard in falling temperatures to prevent the water getting into the front doors and were there for several hours at the end of a particularly challenging day attending water-related incidents."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service rushed to more than 180 incidents across the county yesterday in 24 hours after many areas in Essex, including Maldon district, were hit by flooding. The average number of calls the service deals with in a day is 58.

As well as responding to flood threats to homes, drivers were rescued from road accidents and, in one instance, a dog was rescued by firefighters after getting swept away in a river at Halstead.

The pictures shown are of flooding at Beeleigh Falls. The Fire Service did not attend here as there were no properties affected, but the volume of extra water is easy to see.

With weather forecasters predicting a mix of snow, sleet and rain tomorrow, there will be some chance of flooding to roads as the ground is already waterlogged.

The fire service has re-issued its advice to motorists not to attempt to drive through flood water, as just a few inches can float a car or van.