COWS caused traffic chaos when they escaped onto a busy motorway today.

Both carriageways of the M50, near Ledbury, were closed after a trailer carrying four cows overturned and three made a dash for freedom.

Paramedic Dennis Moore said: "A Land Rover Discovery was pulling the trailer when it overturned.

"The driver, a 36-year-old man from Newent in Gloucestershire was uninjured but the four cows came out of the trailer.

"One of the beasts had fallen over onto its side and had to be helped back onto its feet. This was quite a tricky task given the size of the animal.

"One of the cows continued on along the M50 but then saw some juicy grass and went into a field at the side of the road.

"It is fair to say we were a little surprised to see two cows heading towards the Ross Spur Service Station on the opposite carriageway as we were heading towards the incident - it's certainly not something you see every day."

The accident happened on the westbound carriageway, between junctions three and four at about 10.20am.

Both sides were closed for about two hours while the wreckage was cleared and the cows herded up.

An ambulance, police, the Highways Agency and a vet were also called to the scene.

It is not known if the cow that fell on its side was badly injured.