A 'STOLEN' lorry travelling in the wrong direction on the M5 forced police to close the motorway.

Police officers were in pursuit of the lorry which was driving in the wrong direction southbound between junction 4a (Bromsgrove) and 5 (Droitwich).

However, the driver failed to stop and later abandoned the vehicle on the motorway's hard shoulder.

A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and theft of a motor vehicle.

He remains in police custody.

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West Mercia Police said it received a 999 call about a stolen lorry travelling on the M5 past Strensham services at 10pm last night (Sunday). 

Forty minutes later, the 'stolen' vehicle then left the motorway at junction five (Droitwich).

The lorry then rejoined the motorway by driving the wrong way on the slip road. 

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The lorry was later abandoned on the hard shoulder of the motorway.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Officers closed the M5 southbound between junctions 4a and 5 last night (Sunday, 5 March) after a stolen lorry drove the wrong way up the carriageway.

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"At around 10pm we received a report of the stolen lorry travelling on the M5 past Strensham services.

"Officers pursued the vehicle but it failed to stop.

"At around 10.40pm it left the motorway at junction 5 but then re-joined by driving the wrong way up the southbound slip road.

"The motorway was closed immediately and the suspects abandoned the vehicle on the hard shoulder.

"A 55-year-old man was quickly located and arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and theft of a motor vehicle.

"He remains in police custody.

"The road remained closed while the stolen vehicle was recovered and re-opened at around 11.15pm."