POLICE in Essex have appealed for information following an incident on the A12 last night.

At about 8.30pm a car travelling north on the road between Shenfield and Ingatestone crashed into the central barrier, showering stones across the south-bound carriageway.

The stones caused extensive damaged to a car travelling south but the driver of the vehicle that hit the barrier, thought to be an older hatchback, possibly a grey or silver Ford Focus, did not stop at the scene.

The damaged car, a Fiat being driven by a woman from Romford, was left with broken windows and lights, damaged paintwork and a smashed front number plate.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any information about a recently-damaged car that fits the description is asked to contact Pc Allan Discome on 0300 333 4444.