Part of the M5 was temporarily closed in the early hours of this morning after two vehicles struck a "large animal", thought to be a deer.

Emergency fire crews were sent to the scene between Junctions 25-26 at around 2am.

Two fire appliances from Bridgwater and a rescue tender from Taunton were sent, and confirmed on arrival that all persons were safe and out of the vehicles on the hard shoulder. 

A spokesman for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "Both vehicles had collided with a large animal believed to be a deer, subsequently deceased.  Crews made both vehicles safe and assisted police and ambulance services at the scene whilst the motorway was closed to other traffic."