A major road in Southend was closed yesterday morning and overnight due to a reported "gas main leak".

Hampton Gardens by Manners Way and Cuckoo Corner was closed by Cadent on Wednesday morning (December 28) to repair the gas main.

Diversions were put in place and temporary traffic lights were put up in Manners Way.

Echo camera club member Simon Murdoch says residents reported a strong smell of gas around the road works.

It is understood crews had repaired the main and switched the gas supplies back on in the area by lunch time today, December 29.

However, according to Essex Highways' live map, the road remains closed until January 6.

A photo taken by Mr Murdoch shows the road closure in Hampton Gardens with Cadent vans repairing the gas main at the top end of the busy road.