FIREFIGHTERS battled a blaze where 12 cars were alight.

Crews were called to car storage yard Boyton Cross, in Greenstead Road, Colchester, just before 3am on Monday.

Two crews from Colchester, and others from Wivenhoe and Manningtree were called to the scene.

They managed to extinguish the flames within an hour.

Police were on the scene on this morning.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched and police believe it was started deliberately.

Anyone with information, or who may have CCTV or dash cam footage from around the time of the incident, is asked to call 101 and speak to Colchester CID quoting reference 157 of May 28.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers charity  anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

The fire service originally released information saying 21 cars had been damaged but later clarified the situation.