The southbound section of the A12 is expected to be closed until the early hours of this morning following a crash a fuel spillage.

Police and other emergency services are at the scene of the collision, in which a large amount of diesel spilled onto the carriageway.

The road is closed between Marks Tey at junction 25 and the Kelvedon north at junction 24 and is likely to remain shut throughout the night as resurfacing work takes place.

Drivers are being diverted via the A120 through Braintree, along the A131 and A130, before rejoining the A12.

Officers were called at about 3.45pm today after reports of a collision involving two cars and two lorries.

A number of injuries have been reported although none is thought to be life-threatening. Paramedics and the crew of an air ambulance were called to the scene.

Firefighters were called to the incident at 3.48pm.

One of the lorries had left the road, with one man trapped inside.

Another man was trapped in the other lorry, which remained on the road.

Firefighters from Tiptree, Witham and Colchester used specialist cutting equipment to release the casualties.

They were released by 5.10pm and were placed in the care of the ambulance service.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The road will remain closed until all vehicles are recovered and a large diesel spillage is cleared from the carriageway.

“Drivers have been urged to avoid the area until the closures are lifted.

“The northbound carriageway was not affected by the collision but there are currently long delays caused by drivers slowing down as they pass the scene of the collision.”