Two separate crashes on the A12 in Kelvedon are causing delays for drivers this afternoon.

A four-vehicle pile-up on the southbound carriageway at 12.30pm led to the road being closed by police for about an hour.

Fire crews from Tiptree, Witham and Braintree attended the scene and used cutting equipment to free a woman, who was trapped in her car, by 1.15pm.

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A second accident southbound, involving three vehicles, took place little more than an hour later, at about 2.45pm.

The road was partially blocked by the accident, and a police spokesman described the injuries as “minor”.

An East of England Ambulance spokesman said: "We’re treating five casualties and preparing to take three of them to hospital.

"All have neck and back pain but none are thought to be life threatening."