Drivers faced long tailbacks when a 17-tonne lorry overturned and plunged into a ditch on the busy A23 yesterday.

The accident happened at lunchtime as the driver travelled south at Handcross Hill, near Haywards Heath.

Motorists on the dual carriageway were able to pass but were reduced to a slow crawl when a recovery truck arrived to winch the lorry out and two lanes were closed.

The road was clear by 4.30pm but traffic had by then backed up to the Hickstead turn-off.

No one was injured.