A man has died, and three others are in hospital after a horrifying explosion on an industrial estate.

Police rushed to the scene of a 'suspected explosion' on Brunel Road in Bedford on Thursday afternoon.

Bedfordshire Police said the suspected explosion tore through an industrial unit before officers arrived at roughly 3.50pm.

A police spokesperson said: “One man died at the scene and three others have been taken to hospital to receive medical treatment.”

A local resident told the Sun: “It sounded like a bomb going off.”

A cordon was set up, which has now been removed.

Officers remain on scene as ahead of an investigation being launched by the Health and Safety Executive.

Roads in the area were intially closed but have now reopened.