Five men have been arrested on suspicion of drug and weapon offences after police were called to a house in Braintree.

Officers were first alerted when a call came in about men acting suspiciously at a house in Wheatley Avenue at around 12.45am today.

When they arrived they found evidence of a cannabis farm but the suspects had left in a Ford Fiesta which was soon linked to a Mini Cooper.

The Mini was stopped in Great Leighs and officers found an axe inside before arresting a 26-year-old from Southend and a 28-year-from Maldon.

Both were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon and going equipped for stealing.

Elsewhere, the Fiesta had failed to stop for police before it crashed on Chelmer Valley Bridge, in Chelmsford

The occupants ran off towards the Fifth Avenue area but three men, all from Chelmsford, were eventually arrested and officers found what appeared to a be a gun inside the car.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences and breaching bail conditions.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences and possession of drugs.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms offences.

All five remain in custody for questioning.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses to the incident in Wheatley Avenue and the collision on Chelmer Valley Bridge.

"We also received reports of a group of men attempting to steal a car in Petersfield, Chelmsford, which may be linked, and are appealing for witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously in that area."

Call Braintree CID on 101 quoting incident 27 of October 24 with any information.