Turkeys meant for Christmas dinner were killed after a lorryload of live poultry spilled onto a road near a motorway junction.

Several birds died when a trailer containing around 630 turkeys overturned near junction five of the M5 and the A38 at Wychbold, near Droitwich in Worcestershire .

But at least one lucky bird was saved after an appeal by vegan and animal rights campaigners for people to go to the scene after the crash, which happened at around 10am on Thursday.

Images on social media showed some of the birds roaming loose by the side of the highway with open crates lying on the road.

The Birmingham Vegans Facebook group share an appeal to save the birds from becoming Christmas dinners.

One activist was shown shielding a turkey, with an accompanying post reading:

“Activist refused to move away from this turkey, police and workers have given up and released her to us, we are now on our way to a sanctuary with her.”

The Birmingham Vegans Facebook group share an appeal to save the birds from becoming Christmas dinners. Credit: Birmingham Vegans .

The post attracted hundreds of message from animal lovers thanking the activist.

Other messages on the page suggested the remaining birds had been taken to slaughter.

Fire and ambulance crews and the RSPCA were sent to the scene after the trailer became detached from a tractor that had been towing it.

The turkeys were transferred to another vehicle as the road was cleared and reopened.

West Mercia Police said: