Two men from south Essex have been arrested for weapon and drug offences after police searched a vehicle at a service station.

The arrests were made after the vehicle was stopped by police near the Birchanger service station on the M11.

Officers searched a Renault Espace at around midnight on Friday, August 18, at the service station and found cannabis, a knuckle duster and an axe handle.

A number of lorries nearby appeared to have had curtain sides damaged, or been tampered with.

Officers arrested a 34-year-old man from Basildon and 19-year-old man from Southend, on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of Class B or C drugs and going equipped for theft.

Both have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.