A suspected arson attack has destroyed a van.

One fire crew from Colchester was called to Dilbridge Road West, Colchester, just after 7pm.

It took fire crews ten minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Speaking at the scene crew manager Scott Hepburn said: "When we arrived the van was fully alight.

"We think it is deliberate, but don't want to speculate.

"No-one was injured at all.

"A witness said he saw a man hiding behind the vehicle."

A resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I was driving home from work and could see the flashing blue light from Ipswich Road.

"At first I thought it was just an ambulance but then I saw the fire engine and the burnt out van.

"It is awful that this would happen.

"We don't usually get much anti-social behaviour round here so it was a real shock that someone would do this.

"The van is usually parked at the end of the road and the slogans on it - like Van Andrews - would always make me smile as I drove into work.

"I really can't believe that this would happen around here."