AN HGV split its fuel tank pouring diesel all over the tarmac this morning leading firefighters to close off the road while they cleared up the flammable mess.

The vehicle had been reversing in Lytham Road, Woodley when it hit a drain cover which flipped up, causing the damage.

Fire crews rushed to the scene where they cordoned off the road to allow the clean up operation and avoid the risk of a blaze breaking out and spreading to the surroundings.

The driver of the HGV was uninjured but the vehicle had to be recovered after the road had been made safe as all of its fuel had leaked out into the streets.

The spill took place at around midday today and saw traffic queueing back to neighbouring roads while crews mopped up the fuel.

Firefighter Matt Edmonds, from Wokingham Road station, said: "We had to contain the spill and mop it up and control the traffic as it had blocked the road.

"We were there for about 40 minutes clearing up.

"It was a big HGV and had spilt the diesel on the road after reversing back and hitting a drain cover that had flipped up and split the fuel tank."

Once the worst of the spill had been cleared firefighters took to directing traffic around their engines and the stranded vehicle before it was later recovered.