A LORRY caused havoc in a Blaenau Gwent town on Saturday evening after marooning itself between narrow streets due to a satellite navigation malfunction.

It was due to deliver goods to Premier Stores on Victoria Road, Abertillery, at around 3.30pm but became stuck and eventually broke down at the junction with Crown Street.

An engineer was called to help the stricken vehicle after its air pumps broke, increasing its immovability further after being sent down a more restrictive street in Abertillery by his sat-nav.

A store employee, who did not want to be named, said: “The driver of the lorry said he was sent up Crown Street by his sat-nav but when he got to the top, he found it almost impossible to manoeuvre the lorry on to Victoria Road so he could drop off the supplies.

“While doing so, the air pumps went on the lorry, which meant he was stuck, completely blocking traffic using Crown Street and Victoria Road and any cars coming up Gaen Street wanting to turn right into Victoria Street.”

The commotion drew a large crowd from the nearby Crown Inn pub, and the lorry was eventually freed from its stranglehold later that evening.

The Premier Store is located on a steep hill in the town, and the lorry is said to have placed even further strain on parking for residents as well as increasing the level of traffic in the town.

According to the store’s staff, the lorry has only caused cosmetic damage to the plaster on the store walls. It re-opened on Sunday morning with no fears over structural safety.