Essex could see double its average monthly rainfall in August.

Met Office figures show between August 1 and August 13, 52.8mm of rain has fallen across the county, which is 4 per cent above the 50.6mm monthly average.

Weather experts have put the increase largely down to the effects of Hurricane Bertha.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “What we’re seeing, especially last week, is the effects of Bertha, with torrential downpours occurring across Essex and the country.”