A LORRY blaze closed the M62 for three hours.

The driver of the Walkers Crisps lorry noticed flames shooting out from underneath the trailer as he drove past Stott Hall Farm, Scammonden, at 10.10pm last night.

He pulled over to the hard shoulder of the eastbound carriageway and steered the stricken vehicle into a large space for abnormal loads. He managed to escape unhurt as the fire took hold.

Watch manager Kevin Steele, of Elland Fire Station, said: "The fire swept right through the lorry, totally engulfing it in flames."

The fire broke out between junction 22 at Ripponden and junction 23 at Outlane and police closed the motorway in both directions as dense smoke drifted across all the carriageways.

Firefighters had the added problem of getting enough water to the scene and crews had to ferry it from hydrants at nearby junctions.