ADVERSE weather conditions were the cause of collisions on the A1(M) on New Year’s Day, according to emergency services.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) attended two incidents within the space of 30 minutes following sleet showers on Sunday.

Firefighters were called to the southbound carriageway near Bowburn, Junction 61, at 6.27pm.

Crews then attended another collision nearby at 6.56pm.

Posting on Twitter, CDDFRS wrote: “A1M Bowburn: Fire crews have attended two road incidents on the southbound carriageway following some adverse weather conditions.”

A spokesperson for the service said nobody was trapped on either occasion, adding the collisions were just thought to be “bumps”.