There were heavy tailbacks on the A1(M) last night after a horsebox caught alight.

The fire happened at around 5.40pm on the hard shoulder on the southbound carriageway of the motorway between Junction 9 for Letchworth Gate and Junction 8 for Stevenage.

Police closed one lane of the road while firefighters contained the blaze, which was out by 7pm.

The horsebox was full of hay at the time of the fire but did not have an animal inside.

No one was injured in the incident and the lane was reopened and the vehicle recovered by 7.45pm.

• Were you driving on the road at the time and saw what happened? If so please give our news desk a call on 01438 866209 or email editorial@thecomet.net.