TRAFFIC on a busy road was disrupted yesterday when a tanker carrying cooking oil burst into flames.

Firefighters and police were called to the A66 in Teesdale, County Durham, shortly after 4pm to deal with the incident.

The vehicle was travelling on the dual carriageway near Bowes, heading towards Cumbria, when the fire started.

Crews from Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland spent more than an hour tackling the blaze which severely damaged the heavy goods vehicle.

At one stage both stretches of the carriageway were closed, with thick black smoke spilling across the road.

Sergeant Bob Danby, of Barnard Castle police, said: "The driver was aware of a smell of smoke and pulled into a layby to investigate."

The eastbound carriageway later re-opened, although westbound traffic was diverted for a time through Bowes village.