A man was saved from burning to death after his work colleagues leapt in to save him.

Firefighters raced to the scene after a workman's clothes caught fire at a premises in East Tilbury yesterday morning. The man's colleagues managed to put out the flames before emergency workers could get to the premises on St Margaret's Road.

The man suffered serious burns to his torso and arms and legs and superficial burns to his face.

The ambulance service was called at 11am and rapid response car, an ambulance, an officer and the Essex Air Ambulance were dispatched.

Paul Jenner, East of England Ambulance Service acting team leader in Thurrock, said: "The patient who is in his 50s suffered quite serious burns to his torso, arm and both legs with some superficial burns to his face."

"He was flown to Broomfield Hospital for further care."

More to follow.