Cows blocked a major road and caused several accidents as rush hour got under way.

More than 20 of the animals strayed onto the northbound carriageway of the A23 at the Pyecombe junction with the A273 at around 7.30am.

Sussex Police were called to deal with the animals which they said had come from a nearby farm. They said there had been several minor accidents including a three-car-shunt as drivers attempted to avoid the animals.

The road was closed to traffic, causing tailbacks. At 8am Sussex Police said it expected the road to reopen shortly.