Firefighters have spent the night extinguishing a fire after a barn containing 300 tonnes of hay went up in smokes.

A total of nine fire engines were called to a barn fire in Doddinghurst, near Brentwood which began at around 9pm on Sunday night and is ongoing.

Initially, two fire engines were sent to the incident, but as soon as they arrived they called for an extra four fire engines and a water bowser - a vehicle which contains a large water tank - to help tackle the large fire.

Fire crews reported the agricultural building measured approximately 40m x 30m.

Fires that involve a large quantity of hay are extremely difficult to extinguish and would require an enormous quantity of water, so the fires are allowed to burn themselves. 

The original six fire crews were replaced by three new fire crews who will continue to monitor the fire and protect the surrounding risks.

Firefighters are still at the scene monitoring the controlled burn.

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.