FIRE crews put out a coach blaze which billowed smoke across the M5 this morning.

The coach, which was carrying 25 elderly passengers from South Wales to Tiverton, was pulled over on the southbound side of the M5 between Junctions 21 and 20, and four fire engines from Weston, Nailese and Clevedon tackled a fire which started in the vehicle’s engine.

A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue said the coach had been 30 per cent damaged by the blaze, while four firemen using breathing apparatus put the fire out using foam.

The fire started on the coach at around 9.45am, and one lane of the motorway was temporarily closed to allow the elderly group of passengers to be taken away on a replacement coach.

A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance said none of the passengers were treated, or taken to hospital as a result of the incident.