A LORRY driver escaped unhurt when a trailer being towed by his vehicle overturned this morning.

The accident occurred on the Tindale Crossing roundabout, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, just before 10am.

It is thought the lorry, which was registered to a company in Manchester, was heading straight over at the roundabout, from the direction of West Auckland, onto the A6072 towards Bishop Auckland, when a load in the trailer shifted, causing it to overturn onto the footpath.

The lorry itself sustained minor damage, and its back wheels were lifted off the ground by the force of the trailer falling. There was also some minor damage to the road surface.

Yvette Jardine, who works in snack bar metres from the scene, said: "I heard a big crash, like somebody had dumped a load of metal and glass from a great height.

"The driver was not injured, but we gave him a cuppa afterwards. I am just glad no-one was hurt, because that is a popular crossing point for pedestrians."

She said a steady stream of people had visited the scene throughout the morning to take photographs of the stricken lorry.

Police closed the road for a short time this afternoon while the lorry and trailer were removed by recovery vehicles.