A train hit a fallen tree as high winds caused havoc across Halstead and the surrounding villages.

The 5.30am train from Sudbury to Marks Tey collided with the tree close to Chappel and Wakes Colne Railway Station yesterday.

No passengers were hurt but the train was badly damaged.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “The line will be closed until the tree is removed and the extent of the damage to the train is understood.

“It may be the train will need to be removed and taken away for repairs.

“We are advising all passengers to check before they travel.”

Trains between Colchester and Norwich were also suspended for several hours as railway lines and roads were blocked by trees and power cables, among them the main road through Sible Hedingham.

A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews were called to Swan Street, Sible Hedingham, after a tree was brought down and took power cables with it.

“Firefighters worked with Essex Highways to remove the tree and UK Power Networks to ensure the power cables were safe .”

Vicky Tibbs, who lives close to where the tree fell, said: “It came down outside our house.

“All we heard was a loud bang. It scared the kids.

“Everyone involved has been fantastic and we’re all safe. They are having to replace power cables and poles that came down.

“The road is probably going to be closed for most of the day.”

Hedingham Omnibuses cancelled some services and others were delayed.

About Halstead 1,472 homes were left without power which were among the more than 4,000 across the Braintree district.

Some shops, schools and GP surgeries around the county had to close and residents in Halstead, Gosfield, Sible Hedingham and Little Maplestead suffered low water pressure as a result of the high winds which Anglian Water engineers worked to fix.