A stretch of the A14 was closed for more than seven hours after cattle were reported wandering the road.

Police were called to the incident just after 8pm yesterday, April 24, following reports of up to 30 cows on the carriageway.

The animals were spotted wandering on A14 northbound between J52, for the B1113 Bramford Road, and J51 for the B1078 Kettle Lane.

Several police units attended the incident along with the owner of the animals, and the A14 was shut in both directions for motorists’ safety while the cows were rounded up.

A police spokesman said the road did no open until around 3.10am today, more than seven hours after it was first closed.

While most of the animals have now been rounded up it is thought one cow is still unaccounted for and could still be in the area.

The closure was between Claydon and Needham Market and some motorists vented their frustration at the delays on social media.

Matt Joslin said on Twitter his 20 minute journey took five hours, branding it a “shambles” and “totally unacceptable”.

User @BungleChris tweeted early this morning: “Home finally. Phew. Still have friends stuck in traffic. And also some whose battery is dead.”

Drivers were urged to take an alternative route if possible and to allow extra time for their journeys.