TWO people have been taken to hospital following an accident on the A12.

The East of England Ambulance Service was called at 11.31am with reports of a crash on the A12 in Colchester.

It sent two ambulances and an ambulance officer to the scene.

Two people had to be taken to Colchester Hospital for further care.

Drivers were being urged to avoid the A12 London bound between Junction 29 A120 - Crown Interchange - and Junction 28 A1341 - Colchester United's stadium.

The traffic piled back to Junction 30, in Stratford St Mary, Suffolk.

Essex Highways said the accident happened at about 10.45am, but traffic remained heavy until about 1.45pm.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were called to reports of a multi-vehicle collision on the A12 near Colchester at 11.35am today.

"Two people were taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be serious.

"If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Please quote incident 418 of 26 July.

"You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."