A YOUNG lorry driver is being hailed a hero after stopping traffic on the M6 when a car spun into the central reservation – preventing a much more serious incident.

Jesse Florence, 21, was travelling southbound on the motorway between junction 19 for Knutsford and 18 for Middlewich when he could see a car lose control in the distance during Thursday's heavy downpours.

The driver, from Abergele, gestured for other motorists to slow down before moving across all four lanes of traffic to form a barrier between the car which aquaplaned and oncoming traffic.

Police have given the youngster a heartfelt thank-you online for stopping the crash becoming anything worse.

"It was just a flash moment to be honest," said Jesse.

"But when I think back, I don't know how I managed to get from lane one to lane four to stop the vehicles, it must have been a rushed decision in my head."

Jesse, who works for Edge Transport, was able to use the height of his lorry cabin to see further ahead than other vehicles – giving him the chance to make his brave decision.

Once making the manoeuvre, he checked to see if the driver of the car was OK before calling the police and waiting for them to arrive.

Jesse said: "The rain was horrendous, it was coming down so quickly, but people don't seem to change how they are driving for the weather.

"When it happened, cars just carried on passing by, they didn't seem aware of what was going on.

"I'm one of those people who has to stop and check everything is OK."

On Twitter, North West Motorway Police described Jesse as a 'hero' and gave him a 'huge, huge thank-you', and his quick thinking has also impressed his bosses.

Richard Pridding, innovations director at Edge Transport, said: "It was great quick thinking from Jesse.

"He is a very humble guy but we are making a song and dance about it because we think he really deserves recognition.

"We could not ask for any more from him."