A LORRY fire on the M6 Southbound is causing heavy delays from J19 at Knutsford to J17 at Sandbach.

At around 5.30am fire crews were called to the fire on the Southbound carriage of the M6 between J18 at Middlewich and J17.

An LGV and trailer containing paper rolls had caught fire.

The whole of the Southbound carriageway was closed between Middlewich and Sandbach while firefighters tackled the blaze.

Authorities also closed off the entrance slip road at J18.

Lanes two and three have now been reopened but lane one remains closed.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and take an alternative route where possible.