A BUS fire led to traffic queues and a road closure near Highworth this morning.

The fire is now out but one lane on Highworth Road has been closed.

Stagecoach West services were delayed in both directions on the road and motorists were advised to avoid the area.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: "A road closure was in place near Supermarine Road as there was diesel on the road.

"The council's Highways team cleaned it up.

"Police were called by the fire service at 11.26am to let us know about a bus on fire near the rugby club."

A spokesperson for the bus operator, Stagecoach West, said: “We can confirm there has been incident involving a fire  on one of our buses at Highworth, Swindon this morning.

“There are no injuries involving either the driver or the passengers as far as we are aware.

“We are investigating the cause of the incident.”

A spokesman for North Swindon Police said: "The A361 between Highworth and Supermarine is closed.

"The No. 7 bus caught fire.

"All passengers and the driver are safe and unhurt.
"It will take some time to unblock the road though, so please find alternative routes."

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "We were called at 11:24am this morning to a large vehicle fire on the A361. 

"Crews from Stratton and neighbouring partner station Faringdon attended. 

"Crews used breathing apparatus and hose reels jets to extinguish the fire which was contained to the engine compartment. 

"Crews remained on scene to manage a fuel leak from the vehicle."

The incident was resolved by 1.06pm.

The road has been reopened.