A LORRY caught fire while transporting a large an amount of plywood on the M25 this morning, leading to severe tailbacks for commuters.

The 40ft vehicle caught fire between junction 27 with the M11 and junction 26 at Waltham Abbey, just after it passed through the Bell Common Tunnel at around 7.30am.

Two fire engines from Loughton, one from Waltham Abbey, and one from Harlow attended the scene.

Fire crews needed so much water to extinguish the fire they set up a relay system, in which the engines took turns to leave the scene to refill their tanks.

The blaze was put out at just before 9am.

Police closed the entire westbound side of the road at around 8am, and diverted traffic via the M11.

Lane three has now been re-opened to relieve the congestion, which is tailing back to junction 28 (Brook Street Roundabout).