A LORRY that caught fire on the M6 and came to rest beneath a major road bridge near Knutsford has caused long delays for motorists this morning.

At 6.19am on Wednesday, October 23, police received a report of a HGV with a trailer on fire between Junction 18 at Holmes Chapel and Junction 19, Knutsford.

The vehicle came to rest on fire beneath the overbridge carrying Northwich Road.

Police said the flames from the lorry were ‘significant’.

Police, Fire, and the Highways Agency are at the scene. No casualties have been reported.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are dealing with the blaze, which is still smouldering.

The trailer was carrying 25 tonnes of plastic pellets. Some of these have melted onto the road surface.

The M6 was closed between Junction 18 and 19, with lane three recently re-opening.

Traffic congestion is significant, with long tailbacks.

Northwich Road, where the overbridge crosses the motorway, is also closed until a structural engineer has assessed whether any damage has been caused to the bridge infrastructure.

Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area. At this stage it is not known how long the partial closure will remain in place.

Advice to those caught in the tailbacks is to be patient, and tune into local radio or check the Highways Agency website for traffic updates.

Anyone with any welfare concerns who is caught in the tailback should ring 999 in the case of emergency only. The Police non emergency number, 101, is available for non emergency calls.