Shoebury residents claim they experience a "huge explosion" and "loud bang" with lights reportedly going out last night.

A number of residents took to social media to post about the incident with some claiming it could be caused by lighting in the town.

Some Southend residents say they also heard a loud bang.

One resident posted: "Anyone know what that load explosion was around Constable Way at around 12.45am? All lights went out and was a huge bang"

Another added: "It scared the life out of me! Never heard anything like that before! So loud. I couldn’t get back to sleep after. Thought something had blown up."

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Another resident said: "My husband was out getting the dog in and there was a flash of light, our neighbour's house alarm went off and then there was a loud crash. I think it was a random stroke of lightning."

It comes after heavy rain and strong winds have been battering Essex and the south coast.