A four-month old baby boy has died and his 22-month-old brother is seriously injured after a dog attack in Colchester.

The dog attacked three people including the two boys. The surviving boy was left with “life-changing injuries”, Essex Police said.

Officers were called to the junction of Tara Close and Harwich Road at 15:10 BST on Thursday following reports someone had been bitten by a dog.

Police said the animal was “recovered”.

A woman was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after being bitten.

Ch Insp Elliot Judge said: “This is a tragic incident that Essex Police is investigating. Specially trained officers are providing support to the family at this difficult time.”

Neighbour Dave Thompson said: “The first thing I noticed was an armed response vehicle.

“I saw what must have been the first ambulance roar off under police escort.”

He said police backed into the drive of the house to “recover the animal” which he described as a dark brown “Staffordshire bull breed”.

“It was alive and not aggressive when they brought it out of the house and put it into the back of the van. It was quite big, I think it was a cross breed.

“Everyone had been pushed back by the police and a woman came out of the house first,” he said.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, another neighbour, who wanted to be known only as Rachel, said: “It’s quite scary especially when it’s on your doorstep.

“I feel really sorry and my heart goes out to the people involved in it.”

Will Quince, MP for Colchester, tweeted: “So sad to hear of the death of a baby in a dog attack in Colchester. My thoughts and prayers are with his brother now at Colchester Hospital.”

The scene remains cordoned off.