An inquiry into flooding in Coggeshall earlier this year has been brought forward by 12 months.

The Environment Agency has agreed to spend £50,000 on a review which will look at the causes of the flooding and recommend action for the future.

Witham MP Priti Patel said: “The decision to bring forward the review is much needed and welcome.

“The floods this year were particularly severe and local residents are anxious to see action taken.”

Residents had to be evacuated in February after the River Blackwater burst its banks.

The review had been scheduled to take place in 2016/17, but is now due to be completed by early 2015, with the evidence then being presented to the local community.