A LARGE fire left workers worried after smoke billowed "far and wide".

The fire, in a field off Fosetts Way, near Temple Farm industrial estate, took hold shortly before 12.40pm today.

"Our windows were shut straightaway.

"The fire crews arrived really quickly and cordoned off the road immediately."

It is understood the fire began onboard a tractor, which then spread to the field. 

James Padbury, who was working in an office nearby, told the Echo: "The smoke was gettting really high.

"Our windows were shut straight away.

"The fire crews arrived really quickly and cordoned off the road immediately."

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Firefighters were called to a tractor and field alight in Southend this afternoon.

"Firefighters managed to quickly extinguish the field fire using a number of hoses and used foam to tackle the tractor fire."