The M25, which loops around London in a massive circle, is known as "the road to nowhere."

But even on a motorway with no direction there is still a wrong way.

Kent Police were alarmed when they started receiving calls saying a motorist was driving along the wrong side of M25.

By checking their observation cameras, police confirmed a white Ford Escort was travelling in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic in the slow lane.

Traffic meeting the 87-year-old driver and his female passenger were forced to take abrupt action to avoid crashing into them.

"People were having to swerve to get out of his way," said Inspector Krysia Keeley.

Police caught up with the driver after he had gone about 10 miles along the motorway.

A roadblock had to be set up to stop the car at the Swanley interchange in Kent.

The pensioner is unlikely to face prosecution.

"He is going to see a doctor," Inspector Keeley said.

"Prosecuting someone of that age is perhaps a bit unfair."

The doctor is likely to determine the man is unfit to be behind the wheel and force him to hand in his driving licence.

But even then, nobody can guarantee the roads are safe from traffic suddenly appearing in the wrong direction.

"It's not something that occurs on a frequent basis," Inspector Keeley said.

"But it does happen from time to time."
 

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