SIX litres of oil spilled across the A35 after a car broke down.

The vehicle started smoking as the oil leaked out onto the road, closing the carriageway for more than an hour yesterday morning.

Dorset and Fire services were called to the incident.

The Highways Agency was called to clear up the slippery substance and make it safe for road users.

Emergency services were called at 8.54am and left the scene at around 10.10am.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service was called to the A35 Charmouth Bypass, about 300 yards from the Charmouth roundabout.

One crew from Charmouth and one from Lyme Regis were sent.

Crews said that around six litres of oil were spilt onto the carriageway and they were cleaning it up so that it didn't get into the drainage system. The crews waited for the Highways Authority to arrive to clean the oil off the carriageway.

They left the scene by 10.10am.

Dorset Police said they were called by the fire service to reports of a car smoking and leaking oil on to the carriageway at the A35 Charmouth, at the junction of the A3052.

Officers said: "The local authority was called to deal with the fuel spillage on the road.”

Recovery was arranged for the vehicle.