Haystack fire sparks smoke warning in village

Crews said they were allowing a "controlled burn" of the haystack after it caught fire

Firefighters have warned people to shut their windows due to smoke billowing from a large haystack fire.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to the blaze in Latchingdon, near Maldon, earlier.

Watch manager Gary Bannister said crews were overseeing a "controlled burn" of the haystack as the safest course of action.

"If you are in the nearby area please keep all your windows and doors shut as there is a lot of smoke coming from the site," he said.

Firefighters were called to Butterfield Chase at 12:39 BST, the service said.

Mr Bannister added that the scene would be handed back to its owner later in the afternoon.