An eight-year-old boy has badly broken his leg after being run over by a lorry.

The boy was cycling on East Street, near Tollesbury Primary School, when he fell off his bicycle and was run over the lorry.

The East of England ambulance service received a 999 call at 11.41am and sent an ambulance, an ambulance officer and the Essex air ambulance to the scene.

A East of England ambulance trust spokesman said: "The eight-year-old boy was riding his pushbike when he fell off and got run over by a lorry.

"Fortunately the lorry only made contact with his left leg- else things could have been a lot worse.

"The child had a bad break to his leg but no other injuries.

"He was airlifted to Broomfield Hospital for further treatment."