Drivers are being warned to steer clear of the M40 after a fatal accident closed the motorway today.

The collision, which involved two lorries between junctions six and five on the southbound carriageway, happened at about 3.20am. The driver of one of the vehicles, a man, was declared dead at the scene.

As a result of the collision, one of the lorries shed its load across all six lanes of both the north and south carriageways.

The southbound carriageway is closed at junction six and the northbound carriageway is closed at junction four.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the closures were likely to remain in place until at least lunchtime. He said: "Drivers are being advised to avoid the area and to only make their journey if totally necessary."