Black smoke is pouring into the sky after a vehicle set on fire in Worcester.

West Mercia Police are at the scene of an incident on the A44 between the Swan at Whittington Roundabout and the M5 Junction Seven Island.

The road has been closed as a result and motorists are advised to find alternative routes.

A resident in St Peters said they can see the smoke from their house, with plumes first emerging at around 9pm.

An eyewitness says they saw a vehicle of some kind ablaze with "lots of black smoke". 

Another, who had driven past, added: "Didn't look great from what little I could see.

"It's on the road to the M5 by Whittington pub. The whole of that stretch closed.

"Hope all involved are okay. 

"Could see it from Brickfields!"

Also at the scene was Jo Harwood.

She said: "Traffic on Whittington Road came to a stop as flames from the van quickly took hold.

"Flames were also visible on thr grass verge.

"A witness was very helpfully informing drivers, one by one, that it was a van full of toys that had caught fire, no gas canisters on board and no casualties.

"Police, fire service and Highways England appeared soon after."

More information to come.