QUICK-thinking by a lorry driver and a senior police officer averted a major incident just north of Hereford on the A49 on Tuesday.

Telford-based Nigel Wilkinson was driving a load of granulated sugar past the Holmer Church layby at 7.45am when fire broke out in his engine.

He switched off, pulled in and applied the brakes before jumping clear of his cab. At the same time, Inspector Bob Barnett, also travelling south, summoned the emergency services as a plume of black smoke snaked skywards.

Within minutes, two fire appliances arrived and contained the fire to the cab and away from a nearby house.

Nigel Wilkinson, driving the British Sugar load for Turners of Soham, said: ''I saw flames leaping from the engine. Knowing the danger to other drivers and potential damage to the road surface, I acted instinctively. The cab went up in seconds.''

Leominster sub-divisional commander Bob Barnett said: ''Once I saw the driver was clear and the fire contained, I made sure householders kept their windows and doors closed to keep smoke out.''

Joy and Len Higgins, of Whitegates, Holmer, said they were told to stay inside and were grateful to all involved for their swift actions.

Leading firefighter Andy Williams said: "As we arrived we could see smoke pouring out."

Eye-witness John Newell said: "He was very lucky to get out in time. He jumped out of the cab just before it went up."