PHOTOS: Several hectares of standing crops alight

Firefighters were called to a large field fire in East Mersea on Sunday afternoon.

On arrival, crews reported that the fire, which was affecting several hectares (or thousands of square metres) of standing crops, was spreading quickly.

The dry and windy conditions have caused the fire to spread across East Road and into a separate field - meaning crews are now working to contain the fire on several fronts.

The road will be closed for some time while firefighting continues. If you live or work nearby, please avoid the area.

Update 5.30pm - Firefighters have reported from the scene that the fire is under control and steady progress is being made.

Crews have been working hard with local farmers to create firebreaks in the crops to slow the spread of the fire.

While a significant fire is still burning within the crops, firefighters have so far managed to stop it reaching nearby woods.

Update 6.30pm - The fire is out and crews are extinguishing remaining hotspots within the area.

Three crews will remain at the scene to make sure the area is completely safe before leaving.

We are not treating the cause of this fire as suspicious.

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Some of the firefighters who attended this incident are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of the station and are paid to protect their community.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too.

Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call