A LANE of the A127 was closed last night after four cars collided on the Southend-bound carriageway near Rayleigh Weir.

Emergency services were called at just after 5.30pm yesterday to the crash at the Rayleigh Weir underpass.

The cars involved in the crash are a Ford Ka, Ford Mondeo, Renault Clio, and a Jaguar.

Chemical leak sparked closure of A13</ big>

THE A13 was shut in both directions after a lorry began leaking corrosive chemicals near the M25 turnoff.

The lorry driver pulled over into a layby abouth half-a-mile from the M25 junction after he noticed the leak.

Emergency services were called at around 9pm last night to the incident.

The Essex Fire and Rescue Service says the lorry was carrying 49 chemical substances, the most dangerous being a highly corrosive organic substance.

Police were called at around 9.15pm to shut the road and an ambulance crew have been put on standby.

Fire crews from Grays and Orsett attended the incident.