Motorists alerted a lorry driver who was unaware his straw load was ablaze as he drove along.

Rayleigh police and Hockley fire service were contacted and firefighters spent an hour tackling the lorry blaze in Lower Road, Hockley.

PC Rob O'Sullivan said they received the call from an astonished driver who noticed the blazing lorry as it headed towards Hullbridge.

He said: "It was a proper mess and all the straw was strewn over the road by the time we arrived.

"The fire service took about an hour to extinguish the fire and mop up afterwards. The lorry driver had no idea his load was on fire until it was pointed out to him."

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