A FATAL crash involving two lorries has closed the A12. 

Police were called to the A12 southbound near the junction with the A130 at 4.45pm after the two vehicles collided. 

The A12 southbound is closed at junction 17 and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible. The carriageway is not expected to reopen for several hours.

Firefighters were called and cleared a fuel spillage. 

Two appliances were sent to the southbound carriageway where the accident happened and a third to the opposite carriageway following a number of calls to ECFRS Control.

The A12 southbound is at a standstill as firefighters work alongside police and ambulance paramedics to deal with the incident.