An estimated 120 trees in Epping Forest were damaged during Monday’s storm, the City of London Corporation has said.

Rangers are still assessing the aftermath of some of the strongest winds to hit the area in a decade, but have not been able to venture into the deepest parts of the forest.

Epping Forest business manager, Jo Hurst, said:  “We cleared the roads as the first priority and by the end of today we don’t expect any further calls of dangerous branches.

“Most of the trees which have come down or been damaged are from natural growth and I do not know of any replanting program that will be done to replace them.”

The cost of the damage and clear-up operation associated is not yet known, but staff are expected to be working on storm- related issues for a few weeks.

The corporation runs an ongoing Hazarous Tree Survey which, it believes, has prevented more disruption thanks to pre-emptive action before the storm.

Detailed weather reports received from the Met Office also enabled staff to prepare equipment and be ready to work as soon as the storm had passed.

Some minor routes are closed to horse riders, but walkers are free to go anywhere in the forest although staff are advising caution.