Spaghetti Junction: A5 blocked in Shropshire after lorry sheds 20 tonnes of pasta and bolognese sauce

The road was closed to traffic in both directions for several hours when a rossroads was literally turned into the Spaghetti Junction.

Tonnes of pre-made spaghetti bolognese were strewn all over the carriageway for around 100 yards and strands of spaghetti dangled from the wheels and the front section of the heavy goods vehicle which was left standing as approaching the A5 Shotatton crossroads - which is an accident blackspot - near the B4397.

But mystery surrounds how so much pasta and tomato ended up on the highway and trailing behind the J&B Bulk Haulage vehicle and along the hedgerow appearing like orange snow drifts.

Police said no-one was hurt in the incident and the driver of the vehicle - who stayed in his cab while waiting for it to be cleared - declined to comment.

A police spokesman said:"There were around 20 tonnes of spaghetti bolognese and it was just loose, the incident happened at about 11am and it appears no-one was hurt which is the main thing.

"Heavy goods vehicles had to be diverted through Welshpool.

"The food is so thick and gloopy that it will take several hours to clear it up."

There were long traffic queues in every direction as motorists tried to avoid the area and drive along Maesbury Road to Knockin and Llynclys and traffic was very slow moving between Shrewsbury and Oswestry.