A BROKEN down rubbish lorry caused traffic chaos in Falmouth this morning.

The red Biffa lorry ground to a halt just after 9am at the entrance to Falmouth Marine School. 

Andrew Duckham, who works at the college, said: "People were coming in saying there had been a loud crack. I think it was a problem with the rear axle, causing the lorry to lean at a precarious angle.

"It could have been very serious if the vehicle had toppled over so the precautionary measures taken by the police were very necessary."

Arriving students were forced to use the college's side entrance in Killigrew Street as police closed Trelawney Road, which was blocked by the prone lorry.

A fire crew from Tolvaddon station made the lorry safe with cables and stabilisers, before the lorry was eventually was reversed back into the car park before being taken away by a recovery vehicle. 

The incident caused traffic chaos in the town, as police ensured vehicles did not travel up or down Trelawney Road while the lorry remained there. 

Traffic returned to normal after the lorry was cleared at around 11.30am.