A SERIOUS crash has closed part of the M6 in both directons for at least four hours.

UPDATE: Accident investigation work has now finished and recovery for the vehicles involved is being arranged

The motorway has been closed at junction 27, near Wigan, after a lorry has collided with a bridge.

In a post on Twitter, North West Motorway Police said: “Patrols are now on scene at the Serious RTC on the M6 at J28 to J27 Southbound.

“We will need to close the NB for Air Ambulance to land.

“The traffic is stopped whilst emergency services deal with the incident Live lane.”

Earlier this afternoon, the northbound carriageway was re-opened, however the southbound closure will remain for several hours for recovery to complete and road and bridge inspections to take place.

As well as an air ambulance, accident investigation have also attended the scene.

Earlier today, a spokesperson for Highways England said: "The M6 at J27 is closed in both directions between the exit and entry slip roads due to a serious collision.

"Avoid the area if this is part of an essential journey. The closure will be in place for at least 4 hours."

They later added: "All traffic is being diverted off via the exit slip, to then re-join via the entry slip road. Attached images show the current traffic levels in both directions prior to J27."