A North East HGV driver and company have found themselves in trouble after police found a lorry carrying unsecured barrels of flammable chemicals.

Over the weekend, police officers from the Durham Roads Policing Team uncovered the lorry that had loose drums of chemicals. 

Upon further inspection, the specialist officers found that the heavy barrels containing flammable liquid weren't strapped in and there were no measures to prevent it from falling out of the vehicle. 

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After he shocking incident, the police unit put a picture of the lorry on social media with the caption: "This vehicle was also prohibited from further travel owing to the loose drums of chemicals in the rear until they were properly and appropriately secured.

"And, yes, those are indeed barrels of flammable chemicals.

"Driver issued a ticket for the offences and employer/haulier is to be contacted too."

In the comments section of the post, people on social media were furious with the lorry driver, with one person saying: "This is shocking - how can this be happening?" while another added: "Someone could have died - this is so dangerous."