POLICE closed the M6 for more than two hours to negotiate with a man seen sitting on the wrong side of a motorway bridge.

Officers were called shortly after midday on Sunday, July 28, to Hassall Road, between junctions 17 and 16 near Sandbach, following concerns for a man's safety.

On arrival, a 27-year-old man was found sat on the wrong side of a bridge barrier above the M6 carriageway.

A full closure of the motorway was put in place while officers spoke to the man, leading to more than seven miles of congestion in the area and delays of more than 90 minutes.

After more than two hours of negotiation, police were able to talk the man back onto the right side of the bridge.

A Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed the man, from Alsager, was then arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

The spokesman said: "At around 12.04pm on Sunday, July 28, officers responded to the concerns for the safety of a man on the M6 motorway.

"Officers attended the scene on Hassall Road, Sandbach, and found a 27-year-old man sat on the wrong side of a bridge.

Officers subsequently closed the motorway between junctions 16 and 17 in both directions while they engaged with the man.

"The man, from Alsager, was successfully engaged with by officers and came back over to the correct side of the bridge.

"He was then arrested on suspicion of public nuisance. He remains in custody at this time.

"Roads reopened shortly after 2.30pm."