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

A passer-by called the emergency services after noticing a strong smell of gas from the Foodstop takeaway in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, about 12.30pm yesterday.

Fearing a major gas leak, police and firefighters evacuated about ten people from nearby shops and homes.

A National Grid engineer fixed the source of the leak and people returned to their homes shortly after 1pm.

Basildon station officer Gary Hastings said: "The shop's premises were closed at the time. We stood by in case the worst happened.

"The leak was found to be a faulty gas-powered pizza-making machine."