A road will remain closed after a lorry involved in an accident was found to be carrying a substance posing a very low level of potential radioactivity.

The section of the A697 in Northumberland is closed in both directions between Lemmington crossroads and the Bridge of Aln.

The lorry left the road at 3.30pm this afternoon but Northumbria Police said none of the material had spilled on the road.

A spokesman said that the lorry was carrying a potentially hazardous substance which was identified to pose a very low level of potential radioactivity. The risk from the material is very low.

Chief Superintendent Chris Thomson, said: "The substance the lorry was carrying has been identified to pose a very low risk, however, we recognise people may be concerned and I would like to reassure them that everything is being done to ensure the vehicle is removed and the road is reopened as soon as possible."

The road will remain closed, as a precaution, to allow for the vehicle to be removed.

Diversions are in place between Lemmington crossroads and the Bridge of Aln via the B6134.