The A37 through Shepton Mallet remains closed this afternoon (August 2) while the road is made safe following a mile-and-a-half long spillage of glucose.

The road was closed just after 9.30am this morning following reports of the spillage and a tanker that had become stuck around the junction with the B3136 at Downside.

It is not known how long the road will be closed for, and there are still traffic delays throughout Shepton Mallet.

A police spokesperson said: "The A37 at Shepton Mallet is closed after drivers reported a slippery road surface to police and the fire service at about 9.30am.

"Emergency services attended and found about a mile-and-a-half of road surface to be unsafe due to a spillage of a substance now believed to be glucose.

"The road is closed in both directions from its junction with the A361 Charlton Road to Downside while Highways assess and make safe the road surface."

According to satellite traffic cameras, there are delays on the A37 at the top of Long Hill and in Shepton Mallet through to the town centre and along the A361 up Doulting Hill.