A Sainsbury's and a Harvester restaurant have been evacuated after a fire broke out.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of the blaze in Stanway, near Colchester.

Crews were called at about 12pm to a grass fire that had also spread to hedges and eight gardens.

Firefighters have worked quickly to stop it from spreading to homes in Hillyfields.

In a tweet, the force control room for Essex Police said: "We are on scene with colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue service outside the Harvester in Stanway.

"This is after a fire had been sighted in the bushes outside by Essex Roads Policing Team officers who were passing by.

"As a precaution the Harvester and Sainsbury's behind have been evacuated."