EMERGENCY services were called to the Strood causeway at West Mersea this afternoon after two vehicles became stranded at high tide.

Thames Coastguard received a call for assistance at 12.45pm. One fire appliance from Mersea, an RNLI crew and officers from Essex Police also attended.

On arrival fire crews reported a van and a 4x4 vehicle stuck in the water.

The vehicles were towed to safety by police after the tide went down.