The M25 is closed in both directions at Brentwood (J27 and 28) due to a severe lorry fire on the clockwise carriageway.

The fire service is on the scene dealing with the blaze but due to smoke billowing across both sides of the carriageway, the entire stretch of road is closed.

Traffic has been brought to a standstill and motorists are warned to expect severe delays with queues believed to be at least 2 miles long.

The fire started at around 7.30 am on the clockwise carriageway, between junction 27 for the M11 and junction 28 for the Brook Street roundabout and the A12.

A police spokesman said: "Motorists are advised to expect delays on the M25 in Essex this morning as emergency services deal with a lorry fire. 

"The vehicle is under a bridge between Junctions 27 and 28. A rolling road block has been put in place and motorists are advised to follow the diversions.

"Police were called shortly after 7.15am and officers remain on scene. No one has been injured."

Diversions are available and M25 clockwise traffic approaching J27 should follow the 'Hollow Triangle' symbol which takes traffic southbound on the M11 to the A406 north circular road, then joining the A12 eastbound at Redbridge to return to the M25 at J28. M11 southbound traffic should also follow this route. M25 anti-clockwise traffic from J28 - J27 follows the 'Hollow Square' symbol which is the reverse of the clockwise route via the A12, A406 and M11 northbound to J6.