FIREFIGHTERS had to dampen down overheated brakes on a lorry after they nearly set fire to a trailer carrying cows.

Crews from Bicester were called to the vehicle, which had a trailer full of dairy cows being transported to France, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Officers cooled the rear wheels of the lorry to move it from the slip road on the M40 into a service station.

Working with Highways England traffic officers, the vehicle was then cooled further and checks were carried out.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service said: "The lorry drivers were unaware that the European Emergency Number 112 works here in the UK as well as 999 and had asked a passing motorist to alert the emergency services.

"Crews were able to leave the incident once cooled about 90 minutes later."