THE M6 is closed southbound this morning following a crash involving two HGVs, a van and a car.

Highways officers say junction 20 (Lymm interchange) to 19 (Knutsford) will stay shut for several hours following the incident while leaking fuel is cleared up.

Traffic is currently backed up to junction J21a at Croft. 

The drivers of the car has been taken to hospital with serious and life-threatening injuries.

An investigation into the incident is underway.

A North West Motorway Police spokesman: "A full closure will be in place for some time. Fuel and Debris is across all three lanes. Those trapped in the traffic. Please bear with us. We will get to you. The slip roads on the M56 to the M6 will be closed.

"We have just been to the scene with ambulance. Drivers are being checked over.

"Fuel is leaking from one of the vehicles, therefore the full closure will remain in place."

The incident happened at 3.30am.