Hundreds of chickens have died after a shed fire in Essex.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service received reports of a chicken shed fire in Tudwick Road, Tiptree, just before 9.20am.

Two crews were send to the scene where firefighters found the shed, measuring 80metres by 20metres was 30% alight.

Crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used two hose reel jets to tackle the blaze.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Around 300 chickens died in the fire.

“An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.”