The cost of the clean up following the St Jude storm is already set to reach tens of thousands of pounds for businesses and councils.

More than 200,000 properties across the county had power cuts following the storms on October 28.

UK Power Networks has written to 20,000 customers in the east of England who would be eligible to claim up to £432 depending on how long they were without power for.

Stuart Buckley, owner of the Cross Keys pub in White Notley, was without power for three and a half days.

The pub was closed for the Monday but opened by candlelight by Tuesday.

He said: “It ruined everything that was in the freezer and we couldn’t do food for three days.

“The whole village was out for a couple of days.

“Some of them asked if we could open up as it gave them something to do rather than sit at home by candlelight.”

He estimates he lost hundreds of pounds in stock and trade and is waiting to see if he will be eligible for a payment from UK Power Networks.

He said: “It wouldn’t make up everything we lost but it will go towards it.”

Braintree Council is also expecting a bill of up to £20,000 to clear trees that have fallen on its land, some of which will need a tree surgeons’ expertise.