AN HGV transporting cows caught fire on the A59 outside BAe Systems at Samlesbury.

Police said a wheel blew out and the friction caused sparks that set the main carriage alight.

The driver, who was unharmed, released the cows from the carriage and the animals roamed the busy road before they were directed into a field by the farmer.

Two fire crews from Blackburn were called at 12:25pm yesterday and extinguished the blaze using foam.

Police closed the road for the firefighter's safety, but re-opened it 30 minutes later.