A team of six Essex firefighters and a search and rescue dog, Darcy, have been deployed to Nepal.

They will assist with the search and rescue efforts following the earthquake in Kathmandu that took place on Saturday, April 25.

The Department for International Development has deployed a team of more than 60 search and rescue responders and medical experts.

The Essex team are travelling as part of the UKISAR team (UK International Search and Rescue) and are expected to land in Nepal today, April 27, when rescue efforts will begin.

The firefighters from Essex who specialise in 'search and rescue' have been deployed from their USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) base in Lexden, near Colchester.