A man has died after being stabbed outside an Essex pub, police said.

Officers were called at 8pm on Friday to reports that two men had been assaulted outside the Rose and Crown pub in Writtle, near Chelmsford, police said.

Despite the efforts of paramedics one of the men died at the scene. The other was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Four men were arrested on suspicion of murder and were being questioned. No further information on the victims or those arrested was available.

A road closure is in place near the pub while police search the area.

Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.