A SWINDON man has been arrested after shots were fired at a police car during a routine stop-check.

Bullets were fired at the patrol car when it stopped to check a blue L-registered BMW 3-series parked in a lay-by near a garden centre on the B4008, just off junction 12 of the M5 in Gloucestershire.

Police followed the BMW after the shooting but lost sight of the car just before junction 13, near Stroud.

As the vehicle drove onto the carriageway, someone believed to be in the back of the vehicle fired two shots in the direction of the police vehicle, police said.

No one was hurt in the incident that happened at 4.10am last Friday.

A 33-year-old man from Swindon has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle the Blooms Garden Centre, near Gloucester.

He was bailed pending further inquires until Wednesday, October 10.

The registration plate of the blue saloon car of L401 JOL has now been released to the public in the hope it will help police with their enquires. They are keen to hear from anyone with information.

Police said another suspect, a 22-year-old from Oxfordshire, has been released without charge.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: "The man, who comes from Swindon, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle Blooms Garden Centre.

"He has been released on police bail pending further inquiries until Wednesday, October 10.

"The investigation into the shooting continues, and anyone with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police."

The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 12 and 13 for several hours following the incident.

The closures also affected the B4008, from junction 12 of the M5 towards Stonehouse.

The northbound carriageway of the M5 was opened at 10.30am, more than six hours after the incident.

A search took place of the southbound carriageway, which was re-opened at 1.15pm on the Friday.

Anyone with any information should call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0845 555 111 and quote incident number 69 of August 24.