A VAN driver had a lucky escape when the vehicle he was driving crashed at Ashley Heath, shutting the A31 for five hours.

The emergency services were called to the westbound A31 shortly after midnight on Monday.

Police said it was thought that the Mercedes Vito van, registered to a Gloucester company, lost control on the slip road at Ashley Heath entering the westbound A31, hit an embankment and ended up smashing into the central reservation of the dual carriageway.

The driver was trapped in the van, which ended up on its side, but was not seriously injured.

He was taken to hospital to be checked over.

Police closed the road, which was blocked by the van, so the scene could be cleared of fluid and debris.

Some signs were also damaged and had to be repaired.

The scene was cleared and the road reopened at 4.50am.