Police in Essex are investigating reports that a lion has been spotted in a field near St Osyth.
Police Car
© BBC NewsPolice have closed roads near scene of the reported sighting near Earls Hall Drive.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors after the sighting in fields off Earls Hall Drive at 19:00 BST.

Essex police are working with experts from Colchester Zoo who believe the reports to be genuine after being shown a photograph by a member of the public.

Local resident Che Kevlin told the BBC: "I heard a loud roar at 10pm. It sounded like the roar of a lion."

Armed police have been drafted into the area and two police helicopters are searching the area where it was spotted.

Essex police say about 25 officers are on the scene, including around a dozen specialist firearms officers, and experts from Colchester zoo are also on hand.

A force spokesman said there had been no sightings of the lion reported to police in the last few hours but that the search would continue through the night.

Police said all the animals at Colchester Zoo had been accounted for.

The spokesman said a circus had been in the area, at Clacton Airfield, recently but added: "Officers have spoken to the circus and confirmed that they do not have an animal missing, nor do they have any lions."

Caravan parks

Mr Kevlin said that shortly after hearing the roaring sound he got a text from a relative telling him a lion was on the loose in St Osyth.
St.Osyth
© BBC News
He said: "It was worrying as we had just been for a walk with the dog. We saw the police helicopter but thought it was just searching for a person.

"It sounded like the roar of a lion. We have field and wood just behind our fence, so you never know," he added.

There are several holiday caravan parks in and around St Osyth and Sean Williams, who is in a caravan, said he was worried about going out.

'Worried'

Mr Williams, who said he heard about the lion on Twitter, said: "The children are with me and we are quite worried. We were out in fields in St Osyth but we're back in the caravan now.

"We've only seen one police car bombing it down the road. We had a fishing trip planned for tomorrow but we're now debating whether to carry on."

Police are asking anyone who sees the animal to call 999.