A CRASH involving seven cars at the junction for Ingatestone is causing long delays on the London-bound A12.

The smash at about 6.45am happened by junction 13 and caused two lanes to be blocked, with queues now back to junction 17 for Howe Green.

Queues had stretched as far back as junction 20B for Hatfield Peverel during the morning.

The vehicles involved in the accident were a Ford KA, Ford C-Max, Volvo S60, Renault Megane, Ford Transit Panel van, VW Caddy van and a BMW 320 coupe.

A fuel spillage also had to be cleared from the road which was fully reopened at 9.50am.