Billericay high street shut off in gas leak

An Essex high street has been closed off following a "major gas leak", the fire service said.

Firefighters were called to Billericay High Street shortly after 0930 GMT on Thursday where they discovered the leak.

An exclusion zone was put in place and surrounding shops evacuated.

A gas company and Essex Police dealt with the incident, and the leak was found to be in a restaurant police said. The road re-opened at 1030 GMT.