A section of the M25 on the Essex border had to be closed this morning after a horse was spotted running free on the carriageway.

An Essex Police spokesman said the loose animal was spotted by a passing motorist at about 6.20am today on the anticlockwise section of the M25 between the junction with the A127 at Cranham and the Brentwood turn-off.

When traffic units arrived onthe scene they decided to close the motorway in both directions while they shepherded the animal away from the motorway.

The M25 was closed for a total of about 15 minutes, and was reopened at about 7.35am, but the closure caused tailbacks on the A12 back as far as Mountnessing above Brentwood.

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