Highways England has appealed to all drivers to make sure their loads are secured before setting off on long journeys.

Mark Snell, a Hampshire-based on road team manager, said: “We have had fence panels, a shed, tools, tool boxes, motorcycle bags and top boxes – the whole contents on one family’s top box was spread all over three lanes as they were on their way to a holiday in the West Country.

“On one occasion there was a double-glazed door and windows on the slip road at junction 6 of the M3 with cars swerving around them.”

Traffic officer Matthew Bradshaw added: “We once had a shed on the M27, without a scratch on it, just sat in lane 2. It was brand new and pretty massive. No-one ever claimed it. I have heard of a few sheds being found on roads before.”

Other items found between June 2019 and April 2020 have included washing machines, sofas, king size mattresses, double-glazed doors and a ship’s mast.