Rush-hour drivers are being warned about serious delays on Oxford's A34 today after traffic was diverted from the M40 following a fatal crash.

There were lengthy tailbacks back up the M40 after the motorway was shut in Buckinghamshire, with reports of delays 20 miles away back at junction nine near Weston-on-the-Green.

The morning crawl to work was made worse by other problems on the A34 near Didcot and the B4100 at Bayards Green.

Thames Valley Police were called to the M40 between junctions five and four in Buckinghamshire at about 6.40am this morning after reports that a woman had fallen from a bridge onto the carriageway.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

All three lanes were closed to allow officers to investigate.

Two lanes were reopened at 8am but traffic is still moving slowly, said a Highways Agency spokesman.

The inside lane is expected to remain closed for some time, he added.

Meanwhile, commuters faced further headaches on the A34 between Abingdon and Didcot due to a broken down bus on the Milton slip road for Didcot.

A police spokesman said traffic officers were at the scene. No-one was injured.

Also, an overturned lorry at 5am on the B4100 on Baynards Green caused long tailbacks on neighbouring roads during rush-hour.