This article is more than 10 months old

This article is more than 10 months old

A 10-mile stretch of the M5 in England has been closed after a body was found on the carriageway.

Gloucestershire police said the motorway had been shut in both directions between junctions 11A and 12 after the discovery in the early hours of Wednesday.

The closure is likely to cause extensive traffic disruption as motorists seek alternative routes to reach the Midlands and the south-west.

A force spokesman said: “Officers attended the scene, on the southbound carriageway around a mile north of Gloucester services, and have closed both sides of the motorway while the body is recovered and a serious investigation takes place.

“Diversions have been put in place but significant disruption is expected this morning and is likely to last for a number of hours while police continues its work at the scene and establish the circumstances.”