A PARADE of shops were evacuated by police after a gas leak.

A passer-by noticed a strong smell of gas from the Foodstop takeaway in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, about 12.30pm today (Sunday).

Fearing a major gas leak, police evacuated about 10 people from nearby shops and homes and cordoned off that section of the road.

Two crews from Basildon Fire Station stood by for about 40 minutes in case of an emergency.

A gas board engineer arrived and fixed the source of the leak.