THE Met Office has issued a warning for thunderstorms and heavy rain across Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch and the Dengie Peninsula from 1pm until midnight today (Tuesday, 20 July).

The yellow-rated alert (the lowest level of risk on the warning system, meaning 'be prepared') includes the following forecast:

"Although many places will miss them, some thunderstorms are likely to develop during Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing torrential rain, frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds.

"These thunderstorms could produce 30-60 mm of rain within 1-2 hours."

The area outlined on the UK map for the warning covers a large area of London and the South East, including the whole of Maldon district.

For more information and updates on this particular warning go to the Met Office website using the link here.