A STRICKEN trucker was finally able to hit the road again after being stranded on the A66 in County Durham for five days.

Michael Chalubiec was stuck in a layby at Stainmore after a broken axle forced him to pull over on Saturday, January 19.

Mr Chalubiec, from the Polish city of Reda, was taking a consignment of Bottles from Germany to Bathgate, in Scotland.

With no spares available in the UK, he had no option but to wait for a part to arrive from Germany.

Repairs began last Wednesday, but the work took longer than Mr Chalubiec initially anticipated.

Two engineers worked through the night and Mr Chalubiec was finally able to continue his journey at 4am on Thursday.

Traffic officer PC Gary Emerson, who was among those to offer support to the Mr Chalubiec during his enforced stay in the region, said: “Having brought an axle all the way from Germany, they proceeded to fit it in temperatures of -5C.

“It was howling up there – they deserve a medal.”