A biker has been injured after coming off his bike in a crash caused by 'mud' which closed the A35 for hours.

The crash happened near the turnoff for the Kingston Russell Farm between Dorchester and Bridport at around 6.45pm last night.

Police, ambulance crews, fire crews, local authorities and National Highways were all called to the scene.

Police say the motorcyclist had come off his bike and suffered minor injuries.

The crash appears to have been caused by mud on the road, a spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service said, which is why National Highways was requested to attend.

The entire stretch of the A35 between Monkeys Jump Roundabout, Dorchester, and the Esso Roundabout, Bridport, was closed both ways at around 9.30pm. It was re-opened around midnight.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "We were called at 8.03pm yesterday with reports of a small vehicle crash on the A35 near Kingston Russell.

"One fire engine from Dorchester was mobilised and on arrival found one motorcycle involved.

"It appears that the accident was caused by mud on the road so Highways were requested to attend and manage this."

The fire service's stop message - meaning the incident is under control and no further resources are required - came in at 9.42pm.

A spokesperson for National Highways has confirmed its contractors attended to clear up debris, mud and oil from the scene.

A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We were called at 6.33pm on Wednesday, January 31 to a road traffic incident on the A35.

"We sent two double-crewed land ambulances and conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Dorset County Hospital.”