A lorry carrying 300kg of bacon careered into trees beside the A27 in Worthing after the driver was stung by a bee.

The driver of the Sussex Bacon Company vehicle and his passenger were unharmed and the load undamaged.

The accident happened at 5am today near the Happy Eater restaurant.

Heading east towards Brighton, the lorry swerved on to the westbound carriage and came to rest in trees at the roadside.

Dave John, the manager of the Eastbourne-based company, said: "The driver is fine - he's more shaken up than anything else. I've given him three or four days off.

"Apparently he got stung by a bee.

"The meat was fine but it looks as if the vehicle is going to be a write-off. It was just one of those unfortunate accidents.

"The police said the driver did very well to avoid two oncoming cars."