DELAYS on the M6 by junction 19 for Knutsford and Northwich were sparked during rush hour traffic yesterday when a HGV containing cereal caught fire.

The HGV trailer caught fire shortly after 4pm, with the exit slip road having to be closed while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Crews from Chester, Warrington and Greater Manchester were sent to the scene.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said: "At around 4.10pm firefighters were called to reports of a vehicle fire on the exit slip road of the M6 junction 19, near Knutsford.

"The fire involved a HGV trailer containing cereal which was well alight and causing a large plume of thick black smoke across the motorway.

"Two firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. They then assisted with the removal of the cereal from the vehicle.

"A full closure was put in place on the slip road while the crews dealt with the incident."