Emergency services closed a section of a major arterial road due to what has been described as a serious fire.

The A127 Southend-bound was closed by police between the A127 and the A1245 at the Fairglen Interchange.

Fire crews were called at 3.20am to reports of a large fire at the Fairglen Interchange.

Engines from Basildon, Rayleigh and Chelmsford rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze.

On arrival firefighters reported that a large pile of rubbish, measuring around the size of a football field, was alight. 

Crews worked to extinguish the fire by 5.45am.

One crew remained on site to check for hotspots and ensure the scene was safe. 

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate.

The fire was first reported by the Police's Force Control Room at around 4am but closures were still in place hours later.

The road is believed to have reopened as the road is no longer reported as closed on traffic websites.

Police have been contacted for comment.