A BUSY road was closed for three-and-a-half hours today after cars skidded out of control after 100 canisters of sealant spilled on the surface.

The sealant had fallen of a wagon on Portrack Lane in Stockton near the Big W store at about 10.45am.

After cars squashed the canisters vehicles were skidding across the road although no-one was hurt and there was no damage to property.

Police closed the east bound carriageway while firefighters cleaned the road. There was severe traffic congestion.

Ian Dunning, station officer at Stockton Fire Brigade, said: "The surface was extremely slippery and it would have been lethal for a motorcycle. We used high pressure steam cleaning equipment to make the area safe. The job took at least three-and-a-half hours but we managed to keep the westbound carriageway open."

Ends