The air ambulance was scrambled after a man suffered severe burns to his face when an oxygen tank exploded.

The Herts air ambulance, a land ambulance, a paramedic officer and two fire engines from Braintree and Dunmow were called to Shalford Road in Rayne just after 1pm on Tuesday after a man in his 50s suffered severe burns to his face.

He was sent to Broomfield Hospital’s burns unit by land ambulance, where his condition is thought to be serious but not life-threatening.

An ambulance spokesman said: “He had burnt himself quite severely, it was a household appliance which had exploded in his face.

“He also burnt his airways."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.