Three people became trapped in a car after it crashed into a lamp post.

The silver Volkswagen Sharan was involved in an accident on the southbound A131, near Great Notley Discovery Centre, at about 4pm today.

Two crews from Braintree attended the scene and used cutting equipment to release all three people by 5pm.

The road remained closed while the trio were freed and the highway was cleared.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The silver VW Sharan appears to have lost control travelling south and struck a lamp post.

“There are also two passengers who have minor injuries.”