Coach with 71 passengers onboard catches fire on the A11 near Wymondham

The blaze, which began at the back of the vehicle, started at about 5.45pm on the south-bound carriageway.

The coach was operated by the Luton-based Three Star Coaches company, whose managing director Colin Dudley said no-one was hurt, and the passengers were now on their way back to Luton.

The blaze brought traffic on both carriageways of the main road to a standstill for a period. At 7.25pm, Norfolk police tweeted that one carriageway had re-opened.

Steve Smith, who saw the fire, said: 'That bus was well alight. I was coming northbound. I could just see a big plume of smoke. The back end of the bus was well alight by the time I got to it, and I think the emergency services were five to 10 minutes away from it.

'The traffic has stopped well behind the bus.

'There was no panic, so I would not suggest anyone was still on the bus.'

A fire service spokesman said two crews of firefighters, from Attleborough and Hingham, were sent to the scene, as well as a water carrier from Hethersett.

An officer was also sent, but by 7pm had left the scene.

Did you see what happened, or have any photos? Email martin.george@archant.co.uk or phone 01603 772468.