The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has confirmed it is investigating the incident

A small plane has crashed in a field in Essex, prompting a large emergency response to the "serious incident".

Emergency services are at the scene in Mill Lane, High Ongar, with police, ambulance crews and the fire service responding to an incident involving a light aircraft.

A large cordon has been established around the field after the incident reportedly occurred at around 1.30pm this afternoon.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed it is investigating the incident and inspectors are on route to the site.

A spokesman said: "An accident in Ongar, Essex involving a light aircraft which occurred today (June 30) has been notified to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

"An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are on their way to the accident site."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Ongar. We were alerted at 12.30pm on Tuesday 30 June to reports of a crash involving a small aircraft in a field at Mill Lane, Ongar.

"We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing.

"We would ask residents to avoid Mill Lane while this work continues and thank them for their patience and understanding. We will provide further updates as soon as we are able."

Detective Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin added: "This is a serious incident, and we understand it will cause concern in the local community.

"We are working closely with emergency service partners to respond and ensure the area is safe. There will be a visible police presence as we deal with this incident."

In a post on Facebook, the village's St Mary's Church said: "Please join us in praying for everyone involved, for the emergency services responding and for all those in our local community who have been affected."

The small village of High Ongar is eight miles to the west of Chelmsford, and near 30 miles north east of London.

It lies close to the A414, a main road that provides a direct link between Chelmsford and Harlow.

While no details have been disclosed as to the aircraft's journey, the closest operational airfield to Ongar is North Weald Airfield, just over 4 miles west of Chipping Ongar.

North Weald Airfield caters to private aircraft, flight training schools, vintage warbird experience flights, and emergency service helicopters.