A LORRY driver killed in a fatal collision on the M40 on Saturday is believed to be from the Gloucestershire area.

The crash, which closed the southbound carriageway for most of the day, happened at about 8am.

Ambulance, fire and police crews were called to reports of a collision between a 7.5 tonne lorry and a mobile crane on the southbound carriageway between junction six for Watlington and five for Stokenchurch.

Police said the driver of the lorry, believed to have been in his 50s, was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics from the South Central Ambulance Service. He had not been formally identified as the Oxford Mail went to press. The driver of the crane escaped without injury.

A fire service spokesman said teams attended from Watlington and Thame, with specialist crews from Didcot and Kidlington.

Both carriageways were closed by 8.30am but the northbound stretch was reopened from about 9.30am.

The southbound stretch opened in mid-afternoon.

Hours of delays were experienced by drivers heading south towards London, and traffic was also heavy on the A34 and M4.