A LORRY carrying live cattle collided with the central reservation on the M5 near Tewksbury yesterday at around 1.30pm.

The motorway was at a complete standstill in both directions between junctions eight and nine for public safety.

A vet, who checked the animals, confirmed that none of the cattle were injured in the crash.

Cattle were transferred, under veterinary supervision, to another vehicle.

A short time later at 3pm a BMW traveling northbound on the M5 also collided with the central reservation, the strip of land between the carriageways, near junction nine.

Police officers had trouble attending the incident due to traffic from the earlier collision.

The driver sustained minor injuries.

After the cattle lorry collision traffic was diverted onto the A46 but roadworks caused even more congestion.

One motorist told the SNJ that it took her an hour and a half to get back to Stroud from Churchdown.