(Image: GOOGLE)
Cows caused major delays on the A1(M) after they wandered onto the motorway near Darlington.
The cattle were seen near Junction 57 on the southbound carriageway, near to Low Coniscliffe, around 7am.
Traffic was stopped for half an hour with the animals wandering close to the road and onto the hard shoulder.
A National Highways North East spokesperson said: "Traffic was stopped for a period for safety, due to some of the animals wandering close to or onto the hard shoulder.
"We worked with the farmer to get the cattle back into the field.
"Traffic was held for around 30 minutes."
The incident has since cleared.