A ROYAL MAIL lorry careered off the road and crashed onto its side, spilling thousands of letters and parcels.

The lorry was travelling from the Rochester distribution office to an office in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, when it crashed at the Rochester Road exit of the Bridgewood roundabout in Chatham.

It destroyed a set of traffic lights before turning over, shedding diesel fuel and its load of post.

The driver suffered only minor injuries and was treated for shock. No other vehicles were involved.

Police closed the exit from the roundabout just after noon on Saturday and two specialist tow trucks were brought in to right the lorry.

Another Royal Mail lorry was despatched to salvage the letters and return them to the Rochester distribution office.

A company spokesman said: “It’s too early to say if post has been damaged but we will conduct an investigation and anyone with a legitimate claim will be able to apply for compensation."