The M1 in Leicestershire re-opened on Sunday evening after being closed for more than 12 hours due to fears over a possible gas explosion.

The motorway was sealed off northbound between junctions 21 (Leicester) and 21a (Leicester North) and southbound between junctions 21 and 22 as a precaution.

It was closed after a fire at a garage workshop caused gas cylinders to heat up, prompting fears they might explode.

A spokesman for Leicester Police said the incident happened at 1000 BST on Sunday near the village of Lubbesthorpe, Leicester.

He added: "During the incident gas cylinders became heated and for safety reasons Leicestershire Fire and Rescue has asked that an exclusion zone be put in place."

A 200-metre exclusion zone was imposed to ensure public safety and motorists faced disruption as diversions were put in place.

Police thought the road would remain closed until Monday morning, but emergency services declared the area safe at about 2200 BST on Sunday evening.

The closure came only 48 hours after three lanes of the M1 were shut for 10 hours after a woman jumped to her death from a bridge, at nearby junction 20, north of Rugby.