ORPINGTON High Street was cordoned off while firefighters from as far afield as Paddington worked to clear icicles from shops.

The crews were called at around 11am on Saturday (December 4) and spent four hours up ladders removing the icy spikes.

Police closed the road from Knoll Rise to the roundabout by Barclays bank while the work was taking place and firefighters worked as far down the street as Boots near The Walnuts.

One crew from Orpington carried out the work with help from an aerial pump ladder team from Paddington.

A Bromley police spokesman says officers were called to assist the fire brigade while it dealt with unstable iron guttering.

They closed the road from Highfield Avenue to Knoll Rise until 12.30pm.