The alert has been issued for the Essex Coast from Leigh-on-Sea to Purfleet including Canvey Island, Tilbury and Dartford.

It states: "The forecast high water is due at 5pm on the 10th October 2013. The predicted astronomical tide level is 2.78 m AODN. The forecast surge height is 0.82 m. The forecast tide level is 3.60 m AODN. The forecast wind direction is North North Westerly. The forecast wind strength is force 7."

The agency has three levels of flood warning with Flood Alert the lowest. The agency's advice is "flooding is possible, be prepared".

The specific alert can be seen on the agency's website at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34681.aspx?area=051WACDV5B&page=1&type=Region&term=Anglian

For more advice, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188, select option 1 and enter Quickdial number 03614.

Although Stoptober is a 28-day quit attempt to encourage the nation's eight million smokers to take the first steps towards a smoke-free future, it's not too late, there's still time to join.

Reducing the number of people smoking is a key health target for Thurrock as smoking related deaths are high locally.

A report published by Public Health England* earlier this year showed that in Thurrock, smoking-related deaths occur in almost 236 out of every 100,000 people. Thurrock residents also top the table in deaths from lung cancer, lung cancer registrations and smoking-related hospital admissions in the East of England.

Hundreds of smokers across Thurrock are expected to have taken up the Stoptober challenge on 1 October and by now, many would have started feeling better.

The health benefits of quitting are quickly noticed - within two days of not smoking, nicotine will have disappeared from the smoker's body and their sense of smell and taste will have improved. A day later they will be less breathless and more energetic.

The NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group and Thurrock Council are working together to improve the health outcomes of Thurrock residents and reduce health inequalities across the borough.

Reducing the number of people smoking is a key health target for Thurrock as smoking related deaths are high locally.

A report published by Public Health England* earlier this year showed that in Thurrock, smoking-related deaths occur in almost 236 out of every 100,000 people. Thurrock residents also top the table in deaths from lung cancer, lung cancer registrations and smoking-related hospital admissions in the East of England.

NHS Thurrock CCG and Thurrock Council are encouraging Thurrock residents who wish to stop smoking to pick up a Stoptober Preparation Pack with quitting tools and support information from the reception in the council's New Road, Grays offices. They can also seek advice on how to quit from their GP or pharmacist or contact Vitality, the local stop-smoking service.

Dr Pro Mallik, NHS Thurrock CCG's GP lead for Health and Wellbeing, said: "A person who stops smoking for 28 days is five times more likely to remain smokefree."

"The CCG is taking every opportunity to work with its partners and providers to ensure that we support patients in Thurrock to reduce these statistics and poor health outcomes."

Dr Andrea Atherton, Director of Public Health for Thurrock Council added: "Although we are starting to see levels of smoking fall in Thurrock, it is still the biggest cause of premature death across the country and one in two long-term smokers die as a result of smoking."

"Taking part in the Stoptober challenge is a first step to a longer and healthier life, so we would encourage all smokers in Thurrock to join the thousands of others taking part and help to dramatically improve their long and short term health."

Quitting smoking brings financial benefits too. The average smoker will save more than £150 a month and almost £2,000 a year from quitting. During last year's campaign, a staggering £25 million was saved by the 160,000 people who successfully took the challenge.

Before the cold nights of winter hit hard, make sure your blanket is safe - even if you had it tested last year.

The council's trading standards team is offering this test which will be carried out free of charge. Drop off points have been set up across the borough to make this service available to as many people as possible.

If you have an electric blanket you would like tested, place it in large bag with your name, address, and telephone number written clearly and attached to the bag securely.

The blankets can be taken to any of the following drop off points:
The South Ockendon Centre, Derry Avenue;
Thurrock Council, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays;
Chadwell Library, Brentwood Road;
Corringham Library, St John's Way.

The blankets will be tested and returned to residents with a full test report. Unsafe and dangerous blankets which fail the test will not be returned, but you will receive the test report which will explain the reasons behind the decision.

Electric blankets must be dropped off at any of the points above before 22 October.

If you require further information, please call 01375 652310.

The music of the Bay City Rollers became the soundtrack for a generation of teenagers growing up in the mid 70s - the face and voice of that sound belonged to Les McKeown.

With Les leading the way, the band's singles and albums shot to the number spot all over the globe. Massive hits such as Bye Bye Baby, Shang A Lang, Summer Love Sensation and Give A Little Love propelled the band to world-wide superstardom and their trademark tartan was to be seen everywhere.

The Bay City Rollers Story - Friday, 18 October, 7.30pm at the Thameside Theatre, Grays - is a celebration of those hectic days of hit songs, touring, TV shows and the behind-the-scenes pandemonium.

Les McKeown has come through the extreme highs and lows of life and he is here to tell us all about it. All the hits songs are there and audiences are promised a fantastic night of fun and nostalgia as they take a trip back to those innocent days of growing up to the sounds of The Bay City Rollers.

Tickets for Les McKeown's Bay City Rollers Show are £19.50/£17.50, and available from the Thameside's box office 0845 300 5264 or online at thurrock.gov.uk/theatre

It is the first time that such a talk has been given to the association and those who attended brought along an array of recyclable and non-recyclable items that people all too often confuse when it comes to the "what bin to put it in?" question.

Alli helped the group work out what bin - blue, brown, grren/grey - plastic fruit punnets and polystyrene go in and learned lots of new words along the way, including that the Chinese for paper is Zhi and that Vāhaka baiga means carrier bag in Hindi.

If recycling gets you confused there is an A-to-Z waste and recycling guide available online at thurrock.gov.uk/waste and all the council's web pages can be translated into over 50 different languages online too.

Hit Parade Heroes stars Mike Berry (the British Buddy Holly), John Leyton, and Cliff Bennett of the Rebel Rousers, a trio who have been making great sounds for over 50 years - their collective talent and showmanship is formidable.

Mike will perform all his hits - Tribute to Buddy Holly, Don't You Think It's Time, Sunshine of your Smile, and his amazing repertoire of rock 'n' roll greats.

John Leyton, the actor/rocker, will perform all his hits - Johnny Remember Me, Wild Wind, Son This is She, plus his all time favourites of the 60s.

And Cliff Bennett will have his two original Rebel Rouser sax players, and will perform his hits, plus his dynamic selection of powerful foot-stomping numbers.

This amazing show appeals to all age groups, from the curious youngster, to those lucky people who witnessed these fantastic talents as they happened, back in the sixties.

A show not to be missed - one night only, Saturday, 19 October at 7.30pm.

Tickets, at £19, are available from the Thameside's box office 0845 300 5264 or online thurrock.gov.uk/theatre

The review has to be carried out by law and the council is seeking local people's views between 11 October and 22 November.

The online polling station review asks if people are satisfied with the location of their polling station, the facilities available and if they have suggestions for improvement.

The review provides a chance for voters and any other interested parties or groups to tell the council what they think of the facilities provided on polling day.

There is a chance that some polling stations could be relocated as a result of comments made, so anyone who has a suggestion is encouraged to take part.

From Friday, 11 October, the online questionnaire will be available at
thurrock.gov.uk/electoral until 22 November.

People can also telephone the council's electoral services helpline on 01375 652816 or email their thoughts before the closing date to electoral.services@thurrock.gov.uk

The time to prepare for hiding behind the sofa (again) is Saturday, 2 November as the Dr Who-themed Library Invasion Day returns.

The library team is joining the 50 years of Dr Who celebrations and there will be a "Tardis" time-load of free fun for families on that day.

Dare you face a Dalek or a Cyberman and for once there may even be The Silence lurking in the library - but the question is, will you remember him?

This is the third time Daleks have come to the Orsett Road library and this year the first library invasion will be from 10.30am until 12.30pm, with the second from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Visit the Cyberman's home planet - Mondas - and have fun making a monster mask with the team from Family Learning (Thurrock Adult Community College).

Planet Library also offers the chance to make a mini Dalek and come face-to-face with the real one on Planet Skaro!

Take up the Dr Who-themed Time Trail challenge and discover how libraries have changed over the years - Grays Library is celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2013 - and be in for a chance to enter the prize draw. Identify the Dr in AudioGo's Who's Who competition to be entered into a draw to win a Dr Who audio box set.

Come and meet other time-themed characters who may want to ask you about your memories of Grays, Grays Town Park and Dr Who - but be warned, watch out for the deadly Clockwork Man.

Take a look at the new exhibition displaying the history of Grays Library from 1903 to the present day and remember how it all used to be.

All this and borrow some books too!

Thurrock Council's library service wishes to thank Thames Oilport who have made this event possible.

Thurrock Council will be delivering electoral registration forms this month to make sure the register is as up-to-date as possible.

Local people are being encouraged to complete their registration form and return it promptly to ensure they can have their say. If there have been no changes in the household, the form can be completed online or via telephone - there is a legal duty to collect this information every year.

Residents who do not receive a form should contact the elections team on 01375 652816 or email electoral.services@thurrock.gov.uk

Chief executive and electoral registration officer Graham Farrant, said: "Registering to vote is quick and simple.

"All you have to do is update the annual canvass form with details of everyone who lives in the household and who is eligible to vote; and return it to us as soon as possible.

"If there are no changes to your details you can save the council money by completing the registration via internet or telephone. The details are on the top right hand side of the form. It's your vote, don't lose it."

The Thurrock Council-run park will be hosting its annual and popular ticket-only Santa in the Woods event on the weekends of 7 and 8, and 14 and 15 December.

The theme this year is Wind in the Willows, so come and join Toad and his friends for a wintry woodland walk in search of Santa.

The ticket price is £12 per child and the accompanying adult goes free. Included in the price is a present for each child and hot refreshments served after the walk.

Small groups of families will be called to see Santa in booking order so there will be no need to queue giving everyone a chance to buy or make Christmas presents and decorations.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, 15 October through the Thameside Theatre, booking office. You can buy online (www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre/), in person or over the phone (0845 300 5264).