A man was taken to hospital earlier today after falling off a ladder and impaling his leg on a fence.

The incident happened in Pudding Lane, Chigwell, and a 999 call was made to the ambulance service at 10.53am.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "The man had fallen approximately 10ft from a ladder, and fell on to a fence, the spike of which became impaled in his leg.

"We sent an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance to the scene.

"Paramedics assessed the man, who is in his 40s, but fortunately his injuries were not thought to be critical."