MOTORISTS are being warned to avoid the Marks Tey area after an accident in which a lorry overturned.

Two lorries were involved in a collision on the A120, at the Marks Tey roundabout and A12 junction, at about 5am. No one was injured.

One of the vehicles has overturned and, because it is fully loaded, it will take a number of hours before it can be righted using specialist equipment.

Emergency services are on scene, but an initial chemical alert has been lifted after a suspicious white powder is believed to be cosmetics of some kind.

Motorists heading London-bound on the A12 can exit for the A120, but the sliproad from the northbound carriageway is closed.

The A120 itself is closed westbound, but has reopened eastbound.

One of the lorry drivers, a 44-year-old man from Holland, has been arrested on suspicion of careless driving and is being questioned by road policing officers at Colchester police station.

See tomorrow's Gazette for the full story and pictures.