WOOTTON Bassett Road is closed for around two hours this evening while police recover a lorry which struck a bridge.

At around 5.40pm, the lorry was travelling towards Mannington roundabout when it passed under the bridge, with the trailer striking the top and falling apart.

Police directed traffic for around three hours before specialised cutting equipment arrived at the scene. The road will be closed for around two hours as the lorry is recovered.

Diversions are in place in the direction of Rushey Platt and Wichelstowe, and traffic will not be diverted towards roadworks in Rodbourne.

Sgt Nigel Kinderman, of the response team, said: "We have a curtain sided articulated trailer which has hit the top of the bridge. We are currently in the process of getting cutting equipment to cut the curtain trailer up so that we can bring it loose and take the lorry away. That equipment is on route.

"We are going to have to close the road completely for anything up to two hours to complete the recovery work.

"Diversions will be signposted and I expect traffic to be diverted around towards the Rushey Platt or Wichelstowe route."

The road may not reopen until at least 10pm so drivers are advised to avoid the area.