A lorry driver escaped as his cab became a blazing inferno on the M62.

The driver parked the HGV on the hard shoulder on the moorland stretch of the M62 between Junction 22 at Windy Hill and Junction 23 at Outlane. He got out before attempting to uncouple the 45 tonne trailer at 1.30pm yesterday.

Police and The Highways Agency closed two lanes eastbound to allow fire crews from Elland and Halifax to access to the scene.

The closure caused severe disruption for motorists well into the evening peak period, when traffic was still delayed by about 50 minutes, back to Junction 21 at Milnrow.

Elland crew commander Darren Knobbs said: “We managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the trailer. The driver was uninjured.”