'Jet-like roaring' noises heard from Coryton power station Published duration 26 April

image caption Fire crews were called to Coryton power station in Essex on Saturday night

"Jet-like roaring" noises heard across parts of Essex and Kent were caused by pressure lifting a safety valve at a power station, firefighters have said.

People living near Coryton power station on the Thames Estuary, Essex, took to social media to report startling sounds and clouds of steam.

Firefighters were called at about 21:40 BST on Saturday, but said there was no fire or "cause for concern".

Essex Police said the pressure venting caused "louder than usual" noises.

Fire crews had been called after the build-up of pressure caused the safety valve to lift - "a process which is completely normal when pressure builds", Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.

It said workers at the station in Manorway started dealing with the incident themselves about 35 minutes later and "successfully reduced the pressure", while they had remained on standby.

The fire service had initially reported that the incident had taken place at Coryton oil refinery, which closed in 2012, with the power station now on part of the old site.

BBC Essex's Owen Ward said the noise, which sounded like a "jet aircraft taking off", could be heard for miles around - including at his home the other side of Basildon.

"I've lived around the area all my life and never heard anything like it before," he said.

Multi-national energy firm InterGen, which runs the plant, has apologised to residents "for any concern this may have caused, especially at this time".

In a statement, plant manager Stuart Clements said: "An issue with a steam pipe connection caused the release of a large amount of steam and noise.

"The site team dealt with this incident quickly and there was no fire or risk to our staff or public.

"The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and police promptly attended as a precaution."