DRIVERS are being urged to avoid the M6 southbound after a pile up involving two cars and a lorry this afternoon.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a number of vehicles on the M6 southbound between junctions 16 and 17. The incident was reported at 2.40pm

The air ambulance has landed in the area and a number of people are being taken to hospital − the extent of any injuries are not known at this time.

One lane is now open southbound and the northbound carriageway remains open at this stage.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible as there is a lot of congestion at present.

Anyone with any information regarding the collision is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 555 of 22 December 2014.