THESE are the shocking pictures of the aftermath of a massive lorry fire in North Yorkshire this afternoon.

Highways England said firefighters were trying to tackle the blaze on the A1 near Wetherby, but this might take some time because the lorry was carrying batteries.

It said the A1 was closed between Junction 47, the turn-off for the A59 and Junction 46 at Wetherby, with a diversion via the A168.

A police community support officer tweeted that the fire happened near Junction 46, and was causing a thick black plume of smoke.