WEST Country emergency services are urging road users to follow some basic procedures if they need to call for assistance while travelling on the region's motorways.

The advice has been issued following a number of recent incidents on the M5 motorway between Bristol and Exeter.

Last week a serious road traffic collision occurred just north of junction 25, Taunton.

A lorry collided with a car broken down on the northbound hard shoulder, pushing both vehicles into the central reservation.

A number of passing motorists stopped to assist, calling all three emergency services via mobile phones.

Dangerous delays occurred as the motorists were unsure exactly where they were along the Somerset length of the motorway.

The Emergency Control Room was given various locations along the M5 length between Weston Super Mare and Wellington - a distance of some 40 miles. This meant emergency services from Burnham, Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington were mobilised in order to ensure as quick attendance.

Emergency resources were subsequently reduced around the M5 corridor until the incident was correctly located.

Group manager Andy Newland of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Many motorists using motorways are traveling for long distances and become disorientated as to exactly where they are at any point on the journey.

"If they are involved in an emergency situation they should look for the emergency marker posts and SOS phones that are at regular intervals close to the hard shoulder.

These markers give a unique reference number that allows the emergency services and the Highways Agency to identify a precise location."