Thirty families were forced to temporarily leave their homes in East Tilbury after a gas main was hit by a vehicle, causing a gas leak.

The leak, which began at around 3:30pm on Friday, caused Princess Margaret Road to be temporarily closed and residents in approximately eight houses on each side of the road were evacuated while the gas board carried out emergency repair works.

A rest centre for the families was briefly set up at the nearby Gateway Academy while the gas board completed the repairs.

Residents were able to return to their homes at around 6.30pm the same day. 

East Tilbury train station was unaffected by the evacuation, with the cordon extending from the area between a nearby public house and ending well before the railway crossing.