EMERGENCY services have been busy in the East Anglian region today following a lightning strike in Norfolk and a serious road accident in Essex.Several homes in Norfolk were evacuated after a chimney was struck by lightning in Kings Lynn.

EMERGENCY services have been busy in the East Anglian region today following a lightning strike in Norfolk and a serious road accident in Essex.

Several homes in Norfolk were evacuated after a chimney was struck by lightning in Kings Lynn.

The lightning struck the home at around 3.06pm causing the chimney stack to become unstable.

Fire crews were to secure the stack but adjacent homes were evacuated while work was ongoing.

Meanwhile in Essex, police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after an elderly woman suffered a broken leg following a collision with a motorbike in Southend.

The 84-year-old woman was taken to Southend Hospital and needed surgery on the break as well as treatment for head and chest injuries following the collision at about 10.20am.

The accident happened in Queensway near the junction with Boston Avenue and the road was closed for three hours while investigators examined the scene.

The 19-year-old motorbike rider was uninjured in the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Steve Catton on 01268 775533.