A horse had to be put down following an early morning crash.

At around 5am today (Monday, January 7) a car collided with a horse on Brentwood Road in Ongar.

Police shut the road in both directions while the aftermath of the smash was cleared away.

While the car's driver was not hurt in the accident, the horse had to be put down.

Diversions were put in place while emergency services dealt with the incident.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were called to reports of a collision involving a car and a horse in Brentwood Road, Ongar shortly before 5am today.

"The driver of the car has not been injured but the horse was seriously injured has had to be put to sleep.

"The road has re-opened."