A stretch of the A12 in Colchester is currently closed after a car erupted into flames.

LIVE UPDATES: Drivers facing long rush hour delays on A12 after 'vehicle fire' near Colchester

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed at about 6pm firefighters are tackling a blaze on the London-bound A12 between Colchester United and the Avenue of Remembrance.

Speed sensors indicate queues are back past the Ardleigh Crown interchange, while traffic is also slow on approach to the scene on the Ipswich-bound carriageway.

One passer-by said: “I saw at least four fire engines and a load of fire firefighters with breathing apparatus on trying to put this car fire out.

“Cars heading to London were at a complete standstill near the football stadium. It was chaos and it looked pretty bad.”