A HEAVY goods vehicle was stopped on the M5 after its load was secured with damaged straps.

West Mercia Police's operations patrol unit stopped the HGV and carried out a check of its straps.

It was revealed that four of the eight that were securing the load were damaged, with cuts rendering them useless.

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The driver was told to fit new straps before continuing with his commute.

A spokesperson for OPU Worcestershire said: "[Officer] spotted an HGV with a loose ratchet strap on the M5 this morning.

"A quick check of the other straps identified that 4 out of the 8 holding the load had cuts rendering them useless.

"Driver is busy fitting nice new ones before continuing."