A LORRY burst into flames on the M6 on Saturday morning, resulting in the full closure of a stretch of the busy motorway.

The incident happened at around 5.30am when Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the M6 northbound between junction 16 and 17.

Five fire engines attended the scene to tackle the blaze and although the fire has now been extinguised, the debris took some time to clear and the partial closure remained in place until after 11am.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At around 5.30am firefighters were called to reports of a vehicle fire which was well alight on the M6 northbound between junction 16 and 17.

Northwich Guardian: Highways England tweeted this image from the scene.

"On arrival at the scene crews found a fully laden heavy goods vehicle which was well alight.

"Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, are currently using hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

"Police and highways are also in attendance at the scene and lanes 1,2 and 3 of the northbound carriageway acre closed while crews deal with the incident.

"After extinguishing the fire, the crews then helped remove the contents of the trailer into a skip and then assisted with the recovery work.

"There are no reports of an injuries as a result of the incident."

Highways England confirmed all lanes, including the exit slip road re-opened to traffic at around 11.30am.