A huge fireball has erupted at a London airport after a passenger plane crashed just moments after taking off.

Smoke and flames were seen rising over London Southend Airport in Essex at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

The aircraft involved is said to be a small passenger jet - a Beech B200 Super King Air - heading to the Netherlands.

Both ambulance crews and Essex Police are at the scene.

A statement from the force reads: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport.

"We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.

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

"We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.

"As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, we are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club."

Southend West & Leigh MP David Burton-Sampson said this afternoon: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport.

"Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved."

Dramatic footage from the scene shows passengers boarding a separate aircraft as smoke rose into the sky.

One witness, Dani Hill, told local outlet Your Southend: "I saw the huge fireball from my window. I'm still shaking like mad.

"I've never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are ok."