London's famous Tower Bridge was forced to close to traffic and pedestrians on Monday afternoon after it became stuck open due to a "technical failure", the City of London Police said.

The bridge had been expected to open to enable a large wooden tall ship through, but it appears to have jammed in place.

Police have warned drivers to avoid the area around the famous London landmark.

Approach roads to the bridge have been closed while repairs are undertaken.

An investigation into the incident is underway but the source of the fault had not yet been established, according to a spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, the municipal governing body of the City of London which manages the bridge.

The bridge took eight years to be constructed and opened in 1894. It normally opens about 800 times each year.

(With input from agencies)