A lorry, car and just under 100 metres of verge have been destroyed by a fire which left the A35 closed overnight.

Firefighters were called to the area between Monkey’s Jump, Dorchester, and Winterbourne Abbas shortly before 2.30pm on Monday as a lorry, carrying hay, caught fire.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service sending two crews from Dorchester as well as one from Bere Regis, Portland, Bridport, Beaminster and Weymouth, together with a small 4x4 appliance from Maiden Newton and a water carrier from Yeovil.

According to a fire service spokesman, the blaze was extinguished at around 6.10pm - though firefighters remained at the scene for some time after to dampen down the site.

The road remained closed overnight between Bridport and Dorchester, with the spokesman saying this would remain the case for a 'significant' amount of time.

The incident has been handed over to police.

National Highways says there is extensive damage to the road surface as a result of the fire which will need resurfacing.

Temporary traffic lights are now in place as repair works continue this morning. 

A diversion remains in place at this time.

Witnesses described hearing 'explosions' before seeing large amounts of smoke billowing from the A-road.

A spokesman for DWFRS said: "Firefighters have now extinguished the fires. One lorry, one car and just under 100 metres of verge has been completely destroyed by fire.

"One local farmer has assisted us with removing the hay from the road with a telehandler. This incident has now been handed over to police and the road will remain closed for a significant amount of time."