MOTORISTS have been experiencing delays on two of the region's roads today.

The A689 in Sedgefield, County Durham, between the racecourse and The Little Chef roundabouts, remains closed following a fire on a tanker truck.

Firefighters were called after a fault caused a brake drum on the tanker to overheat. The tanker was carrying highly flammable liquid.

Inspector Kevin Blakey, from Durham Police, stressed that the closure was a precautionary measure and there was no real risk to the public.

He said the closure was to ensure an exclusion zone around the tanker but expected the road to be reopened within two hours.

Earlier the Al northbound between Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield was temporarily closed to allow the Great North Air Ambulance to land.

A driver's car had left the carriageway after he suffered a diabetic seizure but nobody was injured when he did.

It is thought he was taken to hospital by road ambulance and is expected to be released today.