Garden centre evacuated as fire breaks out nearby

The fire is at an electrical substation in Southend-on-Sea

Shoppers had to be evacuated from a garden centre after a fire broke out at a nearby electrical substation.

Four crews were sent to tackle flames at the facility near Scott's of Southend in Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea, at 11:21 BST.

Motorists have not been allowed to use the route between its junctions with Shopland Road and Purdeys Way since firefighters arrived.

Station manager Russ Freeman asked people living in the area to keep their windows and doors closed.