Christmas Fayre visitors in Bury faced long delays and diversions last night as Highways England closed a stretch of the A14 for an unannounced reason just as the event finished its most popular day.

West Suffolk Council tweeted at 4.07pm on Saturday that they were told that Highways England will close the A14 from Bury St Edmunds Central towards Newmarket from 8pm.

This is the precise time that the fayre closed for the day prompting crowds of shoppers to leave the town and head straight into traffic chaos.

The council said: "This is without any consultation and they're unable to delay until later depsite our requests and Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre."

Bury St Edmunds police have confirmed the closure will be from junction 43 westbound from 8pm onwards.

Anyone heading west along the A14 was affected and the council said that there a diversion was put in place for the park and ride services.

It is still unclear why the road closed but Highways England have been contacted for a response.