A COMBINATION of strong winds and high tides could cause flooding along the Thames estuary this weekend, the Environment Agency has warned.

The government agency said in a statement it will be carefully monitoring wave levels, tide heights and wind direction for tomorrow morning and evening.

This is because of extreme weather in Scotland, where there have been winds up to 90mph.

The blustery conditions caused stormy seas off the north coast, which it is feared could spread to Essex and combine dangerously with high tide levels.

Canvey councillor Ray Howard, a senior member of the regional flood defence committee, said: “Thankfully the worst extreme weather so far has been in Scotland, but that will affect the North Sea, which could cause a tidal surge down here.

“I can assure residents the Environment Agency will be monitoring the situation carefully and if flood gates have to be closed they will be.” To find out more about receiving flood warnings from the Environment Agency call 0845 9881188, or log onto www.environment-agency.gov.uk See tomorrow's Echo for the full story