Residents have been evacuated following a gas leak in a town in Dorset.

Fire crews were called to School Lane, Blandford St Mary at 9.26am this morning, August 19 after a car reportedly crashed into a domestic gas inlet, causing a gas leak.

A 50 safety cordon has been put in place on Bournemouth Road between Chettell Way to Stour Park.

Gas engineers were on scene making repairs. 

A spokesperson for DWFRS said: "We were called to School Lane, Blandford St Mary at 9.26am this morning (19 August) after a car struck a domestic gas inlet, causing a gas leak.

"We have two crews in attendance, from Blandford and Poole, and a 50m safety cordon has been put into place, which has included asking neighbours to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

"Gas engineers are now en route to make the necessary repairs."

At around 11.20am the road closure was lifted. 

An update from DWFRS read: "Gas engineers have now made a temporary repair, allowing Bournemouth Road to be reopened, although some roadworks are likely in due course to achieve the full fix.

"Our stop was at 11.20am and we have now left the scene."