REPORTS of a paraglider catching fire while flying over an Essex village was a false alarm, the fire service has said.

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to an incident which was believed to involve a paraglider at about 11.45am in St Peters Close, Goldhanger.

Two crews from Maldon, another from Witham, Colchester and Tollesbury attended the scene.

A spokesman for the brigade said paramedics and police officers have been called to the incident involving “a paraglider, airboune and on fire”.

He added: “The incident appears to have been a false alarm.”

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