CANVEY bore the brunt when floods devastated large parts of the nation’s east coast in 1953.

The floods are well documented, with it leading to 59 deaths and 13,000 people being rescued from their homes after floodwater inundated Canvey on January 31.

But it was not only the population of Canvey who suffered.

Caused by a tidal surge and storms in the North Sea, the floods claimed the lives of 2,500 people in Europe.

Echo:

Shout - a rescue worker, thigh-deep in water, checking for residents of flood-hit houses on Canvey

More than 300 people sadly died on our shores as 1,600km of coastline was damaged and sea walls – including those on Canvey – were breached.

We have delved into the archive to celebrate the heroic efforts of those who saved Canvey residents in the aftermath of the floods.

Scroll down to see more eye-catching snaps.

Echo:

Travelling over the water - members of the public are helped by firemen pulling a small boat on a flood-stricken Canvey

Echo:

Offering assistance - rowing boats head down Thameside Crescent as the last 2,000 residents are rescues by police, troops and other services

Echo:

Last line of defence - servicemen and civilians unload sandbags from fishing boats to repair the main breach in the east wall of the sea defences

Echo:

Leaving Canvey - police and soldiers carrying children to a bus for evacuation

Echo:

Hold my hand - an elderly woman is helped from a truck after the first stage of her evacuation

SEE ALSO

Echo:

Youngster - a policeman carries a small child through the flood on Canvey

Echo:

Helped to safety - a woman and two children travel by boat along Thameside Crescent

Echo:

Aerial - this photograph shows a submerged Canvey after the devastating flood hit

Echo:

Prized possession - a Royal Artillery sergeant carries a small evacuee, who remembered her doll, to an evacuation bus