A car dealership has been evacuated due to a gas leak.

Bristol Street Motors was evacuated at around 12.45pm today after a major gas pipe was broken.

It understood that a digger was working at the site of the Old Texaco garage next to the car dealership when it went through the pipe.

A number of National Grid vehicles are at the scene with staff working to fix the problem.

Higher Bridge Street was cordoned off to all vehicles and pedestrians at around 12.30pm but re-opened at around 3.45pm.

Darren Murray, general manager at Bristol Street Motors said: "We've had a gas leak. The builders have gone through the main gas pipe.

"We've evacuated the building. Staff conducted a very orderly evacuation. 

"We've been out about 40 minutes. National Grid and the fire service are here. 

"On the corner where the petrol station was They have drilled through the pipe." 

Pedestrians were also restricted from accessing pavement on the A666 on the side closest to the garage.

Two fire engines wereon the scene assisting the National Grid. 

Staff from Bristol Street Motors were congregated at the junction of Higher Bridge Street and Topp Way and were bringing each other bottles of water and ice pops.

Staff were sent home at around 3pm by Bristol Street Motors.

Mr Murray said that he has been told National Grid work will be carrying on for around "six or seven hours" at 4pm so he told staff to go home. 

The business remain evacuated. 

Mr was on the forecourt sending any customers who had not got their message about the business being shut.

He added it was "business as usual" tomorrow.