The M25 anti-clockwise in Essex will remain closed until late this evening following an earlier lorry fire, Highways England has confirmed.

The fire, which was exacerbated by the lorry's boozy haul of wine and spirits, has left the road in a state of serious disrepair.

The M25 – Britain’s busiest motorway – is shut betwixt junctions 27 (M11) and 26 (Waltham Abbey) for repairs to the road surface following the fire which broke out on the exit slip road of the latter junction at 4am today.

Traffic is backed up across Epping and Waltham Abbey as drivers try to find a way around the scene.

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Emergency services attended the scene the quell the fire, with the motorway closed in both directions at the time.

While the M25 clockwise reopened by 6am and trapped traffic was released, damage to the road surface and leaked hydraulic fluid mean the site of the incident requires resurfacing.

The lorry had been carrying wines, spirits, and car parts.

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Recovery of the burnt-out lorry was completed and emergency resurfacing work started shortly after 2pm, with repair work also needed on the nearby fencing.

Nobody was hurt by the inferno.