A BULL has been put to sleep after escaping on the M5 following a crash.

The motorway was closed in both directions, and traffic at a standstill following the incident.

Southbound was reopened just after 2pm but northbound was closed until gone 3pm, with traffic blocked back past j26 for Wellington.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

TRAFFIC: The M5 is blocked northbound between Bridgwater and Taunton 

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "There was a single vehicle collision on the M5 soutbound between junctions 24 and 25 at around 12.45pm.

"The vehicle was a landrover with a trailer which contained livestock - two cows and a bull.

"The cows remained in the trailer however the bull escpaed and has been put down.

"The road is still closed while we deal with the other animals."

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

We'll keep you updated. 

A spokesperson for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service added: "Three appliances from Taunton were mobilised to reports of a road traffic collision with persons reported.

"On arrival, crews discovered the RTC with two cows stuck in a trailer and so made up for the specialist rescue team from Bridgwater.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

"Crews used road rescue equipment and small tools to release the cows from the trailer.

"The cows were handed over to the market staff to take to the vets to be assessed."