Rush-hour traffic ground to a halt in Oxford last night after a gas leak closed part of the ring road.

The Eastern Bypass was shut in both directions between Headington and Cowley after the leak near the Homebase store at Horspath Driftway.

There were long tailbacks around the area as drivers tried to find alternative routes.

The underground leak was so powerful it lifted the road surface. No-one was evacuated from nearby buildings.

Engineers from gas company Transco repaired the damage.

Sgt Tony Istead, of Thames Valley Police, said: "It caused absolute mayhem."