Investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the person who was found dead on the M5 motorway close to Gloucester in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Both carriageways of the motorway between junction 12 and 11A were closed from the early hours through to nearly 6pm last night after the incident.

The body was discovered around one mile north of Gloucester Services, with the police first called to the incident at around 4.10am on Wednesday.

All of the northbound carriageway was reopened last night and lanes two and three of the southbound carriageway were also opened, but under speed restrictions.

In a statement, Gloucestershire Police thanked motorists for their patience while the painstaking and thorough investigation to the circumstances of the incident took place.

The statement added: "One of the leads detectives from the Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department are following up is whether the body is that of a missing person reported this morning.

"Formal identification will not be possible for several days as tests will also need to be completed.

"Specialist officers at the scene have been carrying out body and evidence recovery in extremely challenging circumstances and this is the main reason there has been such a long delay.

"Police would like to thank road users for remaining patient throughout the day and showing understanding that the central aim has been to give dignity to the person involved and provide reassurance to their family that everything possible has been done to show respect to their loved one.

"The investigation continues and officers are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet contacted police who travelled between junctions 11 and 12 on either carriageway between 3.45am and 4.15am on Wednesday.

"Information can be given to police by calling 101 and quoting incident 34 of 30 October."