A LORRY and three cars were involved in a rush-hour pile up on the M66 motorway this morning.

The smash happened at about 7.30am on the southbound road just before Simister Island.

A man was taken to hospital with suspected neck injuries after the crash.

It is thought that the vehicles may have been driving too close to each other.

None of the vehicles were badly damaged.

One lane was closed for about half an hour, leading to queues as far back as the Edenfield Bypass.