Clothes were set alight and put through a letterbox of a Southnd home, sparking an arson investigation.

Police were called by fire service colleagues shortly after 5.30am on Wednesday to Cecil Court, Southend, following reports of a fire.

Police say no one was at home at the time, but there was a small amount of damage inside the address.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are treating it as arson and are asking the public for their help.

"If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."

"Please quote crime reference 42/88528/23 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible."