A bomb disposal team was called to a fire in a workshop containing fuel, bullets, shells and land mines.

Firefighters are still tackling the fire, involving farm buildings measuring 50 metres by 40 metres, in Walton-on-the-Naze.

Crews began fighting the blaze at 3.05pm, before learning that one of the buildings contained explosives.

A 300-metre hazard zone was set up but has been reduced to 100m since bomb experts confirmed it was safe to do so.

Earlier, assistant divisional officer, Mark Turnbull said: “The fire is in a workshop which contains fuel, cylinders and ammunition including bullets, shells, land mines and other ordnance. An army bomb disposal squad are here to assess if that ordnance and ammunition is live or not.

“Crews have withdrawn to a safe distance while that assessment is carried out but unmanned monitor hoses have been left in place to continue dousing the fire.”