POLICE and highways officers closed Junction 24 of the M5 this evening (Saturday, November 12) for safety reasons.

A large number of vehicles were abandoned on the slip road and there were pedestrians in the road due to a huge attendance at North Petherton Carnival.

Officers noted down details of car owners and warned that drivers could face hefty fines and penalty points and some vehicles may be towed away.

In a statement an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said earlier this evening: "Police and highways officers have closed M5 junction 24 (Huntworth) for safety reasons due to vehicles abandoned on the slip road and pedestrians in the road.

"Drivers will be issued with fixed penalty notices which could lead to £100 fines and three points and vehicles may be towed."

In the build up to the carnival, there were long tailbacks on the M5 as vehicles headed to the event.