A dog died on the side of the A1(M) near Stevenage yesterday after being hit by traffic.

Police were called to the side of the northbound carriageway at 3.44pm after the dog was hit near Junction 8 for Stevenage – with long delays afterwards.

Officers attended and the dog, described by a passing motorist as “big”, was recovered from bushes on the side of the road.

The dog’s owner has been informed.