Motorists facing delays of up to 50 minutes after an HGV blaze forced the closure of a busy stretch of the M6 between Cumbria and Lancashire, with emergency repairs needed.

A major stretch of the M6 remained closed for more than 12 hours after a huge lorry fire caused significant damage to the motorway.

The southbound carriageway between junction 36 for Kirkby Lonsdale and junction 35 for Carnforth was shut following the blaze on Friday evening (November 13).

National Highways confirmed that the HGV fire was first reported at around 9.45pm, prompting a major emergency response.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service led the operation, assisted by Cumbria Police and National Highways traffic officers.

The fire also caused disruption on the opposite carriageway, with northbound traffic temporarily brought to a standstill at the request of firefighters because of smoke drifting across the motorway.

The northbound carriageway at the scene has since reopened, but the southbound stretch remained shut on Saturday, with the closure expected to continue into the afternoon.

Motorists were warned of delays of around 50 minutes, with queues stretching back for approximately three miles.

The incident caused major disruption on one of the main routes linking Lancashire and Cumbria, particularly for drivers travelling towards Lancaster, Carnforth and the surrounding areas.

National Highways introduced an official diversion route, directing southbound drivers off the motorway at junction 36.

Traffic was advised to follow the A590 towards Brettargh Holt before joining the A6 through Milnthorpe and continuing towards Lancaster.

Drivers were then directed onto the A6070 to rejoin the M6 southbound at junction 35.

National Highways also warned that temporary traffic lights on the A6 just south of Milnthorpe could cause further delays for motorists using the diversion.

Meanwhile, according to National Highways, separate repair works were also listed on other sections of the motorway, with one of three northbound lanes closed between junctions 37 and 38.

One of the two lanes on the northbound exit slip road at junction 35 was also listed as closed for repairs.

It was not clear whether those restrictions were connected to the lorry fire.

Drivers were advised to allow extra time for their journeys, consider alternative routes or delay travelling until the motorway had reopened.