There are no reports of fatalities but a number of people have been seriously injured in the crash between junction 16 and 17 at Sandbach in Cheshire.

The Air Ambulance attended and casualties were given first aid at the scene, a motorist told the BBC.

Both carriageways were closed at first but the northbound carriageway has since re-opened.

Traffic diversions

Insp Tony McKevitt from Cheshire Police said: "We received reports of a serious accident involving multiple cars just after 1000 GMT.

"At least six vehicles are involved and there are a number of casualties.

"The Highways Agency has put diversions in place and we expect the southbound carriageway to be closed for a significant amount of time."