Traffic on the M25 was forced to come to a stop after a fire broke out next to the motorway yesterday evening (January 29).

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue says it received dozens of calls after flames were spotted by passing motorists near junction 20 for Kings Langley.

Calls came flooding in at around 6pm with police confirming the fire was off Bedmond Road near Abbots Langley.

A video taken by a passenger in a vehicle on the M25 showed a large fire visible over the embankment with smoke rising into the air.

The fire service tweeted yesterday evening: "Please avoid the M25 clockwise junctions 20 to 21 as the traffic is being held due to the ongoing incident close to the motorway."

It later tweeted that 73 calls had been received and thanked controls rooms in Lincolnshire, Humberside, and Norfolk for picking up overflow calls directed to Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire Constabulary added: "We’re helping the fire service while they deal with a large fire in Bedmond Road, Bedmond, near AbbotsLangley. Bedmond Road is currently closed as is the M25 clockwise between junctions 20 and 21. Please avoid the area. Thank you."

National Highways confirmed the clockwise carriageway of the M25 was blocked by officers at around 6.20pm with an official closure put in place by the scene at around 6.45pm.

The M25 was allowed to reopen by 7pm, with Bedmond Road reopening later in the evening.

No further details have been issued at this stage about what was on fire or the exact location.