Severed hand closes A19 in Middlesbrough... but turns out to be fake

Police closed a main road after the apparent gruesome discovery of a bloody severed hand – only to find it was fake.

Officers shut the A19 near Middlesbrough after a motorist reported seeing a suspicious item on Wednesday evening.

Preparing for a serious investigation, police blocked off the area - but soon realised the hand lying on the gravel was, thankfully, just a prop.

After the discovery, Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit explained the mishap on Facebook.

"In a nutshell, an eagle-eyed diligent member of the motoring public spotted a suspicious looking item in the central reservation," they said.

"Officers have attended and it has been found to be a realistic looking 'severed hand'.

"No doubt comments will be forthcoming - please! ....."

Facebook users were quick to respond.

"That's where I put my back scratcher, I've been looking all over for it," one user said.

"I wonder if they need a hand to clean up," joked another.

It is not the first time police have been fooled.

Last year, officers were called to reports of a serious assault on the M62 between Manchester and Liverpool - only to discover a man and a woman dressed as zombies.