A road was shut after a car tore through the central reservation and smashed into two parked cars.

Witnesses reported watching the car drive through the reservation on Eastern Esplanade, Southend, at around 9.30pm last night before damaging the parked vehicles and fleeing.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the incident, which took place just outside the Roslin Beach Hotel, and shut the road shortly after.

A spokesperson from Essex Police said: "We received reports that a vehicle had collided with two empty parked cars in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, at around 9.30pm yesterday.

"We received information that the driver ran off from the scene before we took calls about a man acting suspiciously in Thorpe Hall Avenue at around 9.40pm.

"We believe this man to be the outstanding driver and we continue to make enquiries to locate him.

"Anyone with information is asked to call Southend police station on 101 quoting incident 1271 of 10/03 or Crimestopperrs anonymously on 0800 555 111."