Firefighters are currently tackling a blaze at Ipswich docks.

Up to 300 cars were believed to have been at risk when a fire broke out on a cargo ship at Ipswich docks.

More than 40 Suffolk firefighters battled to put out the blaze at Cliff Quay yesterday afternoon.

The fire began on the lower deck of Accum shortly before 4pm.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service initially scrambled five fire crews to the scene, including engines from Princes Street, Ipswich; Ipswich East; and Holbrook.

But fire chiefs later increased this to eight, drafting in two further crews from Ipswich East and another from Needham Market.

The fire service said the cargo ship had around 300 cars onboard, as well as wooden boxes and turbines.

Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, had put out the flames by 6pm.

The fire was reportedly confined to 'timber materials' on the lower deck of the ship.

It is believed Accum - which is 86-metres long and 12-metres wide - has been at Ipswich docks since December 2.

The ship, which was built in 2010, is registered in Gibraltar.

The dock is owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) which operates both the West Bank terminal and Cliff Quay.

Cliff Quay handles and stores liquid and dry bulks and has 67,583 sq m of covered storage.

No-one from ABP was available for comment.