A huge Christmas tree outside Seven Kings train station reportedly had to be taken down last night after stormy weather threatened to topple it onto unsuspecting commuters.

Ilford Recorder: This tree was brought down in an Ilford garden in the storm on 23/12/13, Picture: @Monica89This tree was brought down in an Ilford garden in the storm on 23/12/13, Picture: @Monica89 (Image: Archant)

High winds caused damage and disruption throughout Redbridge yesterday afternoon and this morning and the clear-up operation is ongoing.

Ilford Recorder: A tree down in Parham Drive, Gants Hill. Photo: Michelle BayleyA tree down in Parham Drive, Gants Hill. Photo: Michelle Bayley (Image: Archant)

Onlookers described the towering £1,800 tree in High Road “leaning” shortly after 5pm.

Contractors attempted to secure it but it is believed Redbridge Council had to take it down for safety reasons.

Pensioner Joe Kraven, 88, reported seeing a tree that had smashed across two vehicles on Crownfield Avenue, Newbury Park on Monday evening.

He said: “I was turning into the road but the tree had just come down - everyone in the street was agitated.

“Two cars followed me into the road and nearly crashed into me from behind.”

The wind also loosened a metal sign hanging above a platform in Fairlop Tube station.

The station was closed early last night so it could be made safe and reopened normally this morning.

Damage to trees has not been on the scale of Storm St Jude in August, when more than 100 fallen trees caused havoc across Redbridge blocking roads, crushing cars and even damaging some houses.

But several have been brought down and the council is monitoring the situation with parks.

Around 12 road in the borough had to be closed this morning because they were blocked by toppled trees.

The River Roding has been put on flood alert by the Environment Agency after 15mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours.

Levels in the lower part of the river through Redbridge, Woodford, Wanstead and Ilford have been rising and are expected to peak at midday today.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We do not expect properties to be affected at this stage but we are continuing to monitor river levels and forecasts throughout the day from our incident room.”

Have you seen any damage from the storm? Email your pictures to lizzie.dearden@archant.co.uk or tweet @ilfordrecorder.