A driver had a lucky escape when his tractor and trailer overturned in Stalham at the weekend, narrowly missing a passing motorist.

Christophe Maj was driving a trailer containing 100,000 baby lettuce plants from an East Coast Growers farm at Rollesby to another of the company's farms at Walcott when it overturned in Stepping Stone Lane following a tyre puncture at 9.30am on Saturday.

Mr Maj, who has worked for East Coast Growers for over six years, was taken to the James Paget University Hospital for a check-up, but did not suffer any injuries.

The lorry was turning left into the lane from the A149 Wayford Road when the passenger side tyre on the trailer exploded, causing the vehicle to overturn seconds before a car coming down Stepping Stone Lane arrived at the A149 junction.

Rob Parker, a farm manager with East Coast Growers, said the problem was exacerbated by the fact the vehicles weight was tipping onto the passenger side tyre as it turned.

He added: 'Luckily, everybody was ok and the driver was fine and he went to hospital for a check-up. He was taken to hospital by one of my managers.'

The lorry's cargo was salvaged and transferred to its final destination on a second trailer arranged by the company.

Mr Parker said the lorries were checked on a daily basis and serviced quarterly in accordance with legislation and industry standards.

The firm grows lettuce, celery and baby spinach at its farms, which are then sold to supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury's.