An investigation is underway by the police to determine how human remains ended up on a section of the M4 near Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police have identified the body as likely being a man in his 40s, with his next of kin having been informed.

The remains were discovered between junction 20 at the Almondsbury Interchange with the M5 and junction 21, near Awkley, in south Gloucestershire. According to the force, several drivers phoned the police from 6.40pm on Saturday to report something on the road.

"Officers attended and found human remains," stated Avon and Somerset Police. "An investigation to establish how the person came to be on the motorway continues."

A portion of the M4 between junction 20 and junction 22 at the Prince of Wales Bridge over the River Severn was closed for several hours, along with the eastbound section of the bridge and the M48 between the bridge and the M4.

National Highways reported that traffic trapped on the M4 and M48 eastbound began to be released around midnight. The eastbound M4 reopened around 1.30am on Sunday, with the westbound closures lifted about 3am.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing to anyone who was travelling along that stretch of the M4 and believes they may have useful information or dashcam footage to contact them.