UPDATE: M6 closed after multi vehicle crash

Lancashire police was called at 5.30pm on Wednesday, with reports up to 10 vehicles were involved including one HGV in the incident near Leyland.

A spokeswoman for the force said there were multiple injuries, but said social media reports of fatalities appeared to be unfounded.

The southbound carriageway was temporarily closed twice to allow for a helicopter from the North West Air Ambulance Service to land.

Two people are understood to have been flown to hospital, although the force inspector was unable to say which one.

Lane three of the northbound carriageway was reopened just after 8pm, where a four mile long queue had earlier built up.

Lanes one and two remain closed while the carriageway is checked and an accident investigation is carried out.

North West Motorway Police were unable to confirm when lanes one and two will reopen.