Roast turkey at Christmas may be appealing, but rotting fowl carcasses frying in 28deg C heat on a village road is definitely no treat.

A putrid stench is what residents in Cawston, near Aylsham, had to endure for several hours yesterday when a non-refrigerated articulated lorry shed part of its load just outside the village, on the road to Reepham.

The accident happened at about lunchtime and took several hours to clear.

In faltering English the lorry driver explained that he had been collecting dead turkeys from poultry farms in the area and was heading for Bradford with his load.

He said he had braked hard on the narrow road because of an approaching bus, causing his cargo to shoot out.

The man, who declined to name the firm for whom he was working, pointed at homes neighbouring the scene and added: 'I am sorry for these people. It is not a good day for me.'

Police attended the incident and Broadland District Council's Environmental Health department was alerted.

Near neighbour Mark Daniels said his wife Tanya had gone to investigate when they became aware of a 'horrible smell.'

They had been forced to shut all their windows on a beautiful day to try and prevent the stink entering their home.