TRAFFIC heading eastbound on the A38 was brought to a standstill on Monday afternoon (August 17) due to a fire in a field that spread to the central reservation.

Three appliances from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were at the scene between East Rattery and Lower Dean.

Crews were called just before 2.30pm after a fire started near the eastbound carriageway, before spreading into the central reservation.

Firefighters used fire beaters and two hose reel jets to tackle the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.

Around 50 metres by 20 metres of field was affected, while the fire in the central reservation was estimated to measure around 100 metres in length.

There was significant congestion stretching back to the Marley Head junction.