The two biggest storms to hit Essex in years swept through the county last night, with spectacular results.

Essex Fire Service has confirmed that they were not called out to any lightning related incidents overnight.

Experts from Essex Weather Centre have confirmed the storm was a 'Super Cell', most likely seen in the US, and the biggest and most spectacular storm to hit Essex in years.

Tom Defty, from the centre, said: “We won’t be seeing a storm like that for another five or ten years.”

Our readers were on hand to capture some impressive images...

 

Lightning over Southend seafront by Adam Markey

 

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John Drummond captures the storm in Wickford

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Storm over Southend by Paul F

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Tanya Bubsy got this image in Long Riding, Basildon

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Bonnie Blackburn submitted this picture

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Allan Dobbs' picture of the storm over Basildon

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Donna Staples captured this in Basildon

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Steve Ellis took this shot of Runwell

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And... the calm before the storm in Laindon by Gary Williamson

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