DRIVERS are being warned of long delays on the M6 after a crash involving four lorries and a tanker.

Emergency services rushed to the northbound carriageway between junctions 18, for Northwich and Middlewich, and 19, for the M56,  just south of Knutsford Services, at around 4am on Wednesday, June 4.

Cheshire Police confirmed the crash involved four lorries and a tanker, and described it as 'serious'.

A man sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, though they're not believe to be life-threatening at this time. 

Lanes one, two, and three are closed, which is causing a six-kilometre tailback and delays of up to 50 minutes above normal journey times.

Northwest Motorway Police say while one lane remains open, the delays are set to get much worse as rush hour approaches, and advise drivers to avoid the area, if possible.  

A spokesman said: “We are currently dealing with a collision on the M6 northbound between junctions 18 and 19, just prior to Knutsford Services.

“Lanes one, two, and three are currently closed with just one lane passing the scene.

“There are approximately six kilometres of tailbacks at this time, which are likely to increase as we approach rush hour. This will cause significant delays.

"Due to the scale of the collision, we are expecting the closure is expected to remain in place for several hours.

“Local diversions are in place, but we are urging motorists to avoid the area and delay their journeys if possible.”

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Emergency services are at the scene of a road traffic collision involving five heavy goods vehicles on lanes one to three of the northbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 18 and 19.

“Nobody is trapped however there are lane closures in place and disruption is expected in the area.”