Baked beans spillage blocks M11 near Epping Published duration 20 April 2012

image caption The lorry jack-knifed on the southbound carriageway of the M11 in Essex

A lorry shed its load of baked beans across a motorway in Essex while taking "evasive action" to avoid a car, police said.

The southbound carriageway of the M11 was closed at about 15:00 BST after the accident between junctions six and seven near Epping.

Essex Police said the car crashed into a central reservation, leaving its driver with minor injuries.

Police said the beans were spread across all three lanes of the road.

A force spokesman said: "A car went into a central reservation.

"As a result of that, a lorry has taken evasive action and has jack-knifed and spilt its load of baked beans across all three lanes of the southbound carriageway."

Tailbacks stretching back several miles built up in the area.

The lorry driver was unhurt, police said.