EMERGENCY services swarmed a busy seafront before evacuating a beach after concerns were raised over the wellbeing of a woman.

Police officers, paramedics, and coastguard crews were deployed to a beach in Walton at about 6.20pm today following reports of an incident.

Upon arrival, it is understood a cordon was put in place and any remaining beachgoers were asked to leave the area.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Emergency services responded to concerns for the wellbeing of a woman there at around 6.20pm today.

"Police, ambulance and the coastguard attended."

Eyewitnesses have since suggested a woman was taken away in an air ambulance, although this has not yet been confirmed. 

Cheryl Holland, who was on the seafront at the time of the emergency response, said: "We were on the beach but got told to get off as it was a crime scene.

"All traffic was stopped and people were stopped too.

"I do not know what happened by an air ambulance, police officers, coastguard, and ambulances were all there."

The East of England Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard have been contacted for more information