Volvo is recalling 7,000 cars in the UK because of a software fault that can briefly stop the engine.

The recall affects five-cylinder diesel models S60, V60, XC60, V70 and XC70 built from mid-2015. A total of 59,000 cars are thought to have the software problem in 40 markets.

A dealer fix is said to take 30-minutes.

Volvo spokesman Stefan Elfstrom said the glitch can be "unpleasant" but the company has no information about any accidents caused as a result.

He told Sky News that "the experience isn't a nice one" for drivers who find their engine cuts out.

But he said it would be "barely noticeable" when travelling at speed because both the engine and the electric system would start up again straightaway.

A Volvo spokeswoman said: “A software issue in the electronic central module could cause the engine to momentarily cut out.

“Anybody who is affected will be asked to take it back to their Volvo dealer who will fix it free of charge

“There no reports of any accidents but we have had some drivers - not in the UK - who have contacted us to say an issue had arisen.”