The M3 was brought to a standstill as two swans - one of which was injured and could not take off - crossed the motorway during rush hour this morning.

A "swan rescue team" was called in to help as Highways England held traffic in both directions between Junction 2 and Junction 3 for Thorpe and Lightwater.

Image: One of the swans was injured and could not take off

Drivers were warned to "approach with caution" because a couple of the birds were "wandering around the motorway".

Motorist Chris Tomlinson tweeted: "I am howling. This is the funniest thing I've ever seen on a motorway."

Tim Holland said: "Aren't they the Queen's? Give her a call and tell her she needs to come down and sort it."


Image: Traffic was held at a standstill

Once traffic was running again, Highways England tweeted: "The swans (one of which is injured and can't take off) have been corralled to J3 southbound exit slip.

"This sliproad is closed until a swan rescue team can attend to safely catch them and take them away from danger."

Image: The birds were eventually safely removed

It added later that the swans had been "safely removed" and the sliproad had reopened.