THE M4 was closed in both directions following a gas tanker fire this afternoon, delaying Easter travellers.

The BOC tanker, heading east, caught alight shortly before 12.30pm between junctions 18 for Bath and 17 for Chippenham. 

Six fire crews were at the scene, including those from Bath, Yate, Kingswood and Wiltshire, with two specialist foam units on standby.

The M4 was reopened after 2pm and traffic conditions are returning to normal although one lane remains closed on the M4 eastbound. 

Stuart Matthews, group manager at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The fire was in the cab of the articulated unit which is carrying liquefied argon.

“The fire in the cab is out and the integrity of the tanker is intact and we’ll monitor the situation.”

Some of those held up got out of their cars, even playing football on the closed carriageway.

Wiltshire Police and Highways England asked drivers and their passengers to remain in their vehicles for safety reasons.

The reason the M4 is shut... #BristolCity #QPR pic.twitter.com/PCLSALJC6Q

Traffic is still delayed eastbound, Highways England saying that conditions are not expected to return to normal until about 9pm.

The incident comes on one of the busiest times for UK roads, with about 20 million journeys being made between Thursday and Easter Monday.

Highways England previously advised drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes.

Tourism body Visit England said 6.6 million Britons are planning a trip involving an overnight stay over the weekend.

Two million British holidaymakers are expected to head overseas during Easter, with Good Friday the busiest day for travel.

Easter Sunday is expected to be the quietest day on the roads with 25% fewer vehicles than an average Sunday.

A number of rail services will be disrupted as Network Rail carries out more than 200 engineering projects.

Trains to London, Manchester, Bath, Edinburgh and Glasgow are among those affected.