Three people have died and two drivers have been arrested following a serious collision on the M25 involving a lorry, a minibus and a car, police have said.

A fourth person is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after the crash, which took place near Waltham Abbey at around 6.15pm on Monday.

Essex Police said in a statement the collision occurred between junctions 27 and 26 of the anti-clockwise carriageway, with two drivers arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

The M25 remains closed between those two junctions, with police hoping to have it reopened before 2am on Tuesday.

Earlier, the ambulance service said "a number of people" were being treated following the crash between junctions 27 and 26 of the anti-clockwise carriageway.

Police described it as a "serious collision" and urged people to take alternative routes if they intend to travel before rush hour on Tuesday morning.

The motorway will remain closed anti-clockwise between junction 27 for the M11 and junction 26 for Waltham Abbey.

Essex Police said in a statement: "We responded at 6.15pm to reports that a lorry, minibus and a car were involved in a collision between J26-27 anti-clockwise. It remains closed.

"If you're travelling before tomorrow's rush hour please take another route."

The statement thanked motorists on the M25 for their patience, with some having been stuck for hours.

Parv Domah was among those caught up in the traffic tailbacks near junction 26, telling PA news agency: "I can't tell you exactly what happened, I can only say I've been here going on three hours.

"There were approximately 30 emergency vehicles that drove past in that time, as well as two air ambulances.

"Traffic was stopped on both sides of the carriageway at one point and now on the anti-clockwise is still shut."

East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said in a statement: "We are at the scene of a serious collision on the M25 near Waltham Abbey.

"We have sent our Hazardous Area Response Team, two air ambulances, nine ambulances, four ambulance officers and a LAS (London Ambulance Service) vehicle.

"Both carriageways have closed and we are treating a number of people involved."

Fire crews attended the scene from Brentwood, Loughton, Waltham Abbey and Epping.

Incident Commander Richie Green, of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Our crews worked extremely hard in a difficult and dynamic situation.

"We thank the public for their patience while we worked with other emergency services to make the scene safe."