THERE are still long delays on the M40 this morning after the motorway was closed when a coach caught fire.

No one was injured when the vehicle caught fire as it travelled north. Smoke billowed across to the southbound carriageway, closing the motorway both ways between junction 8a for Oxford and junction 7 for Watlington.

The fire was believed to be caused by a mechanical fault. This image of the fire was taken by reader Oliver Jobson, who said: "You couldn't tell (what coach company it belonged to. It was completely gutted and engulfed in flame."

The southbound carriageway re-opened at 7.10am and the northbound 25 minutes later but there are still significant delays both ways.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 5.58am and sent three fire engines to the scene, which was just north of junction six.

There was only a driver on board the coach and no other vehicle was involved.

A spokeswoman said: “One coach was severely damaged by fire but no one was hurt.”