THE M6 northbound has reopened between junctions 17 and 18, following an earlier incident involving a motorbike.

The police and ambulance service attended the scene, half a mile shy of junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel within the smart motorway roadworks.

The air ambulance earlier landed on the southbound carriageway, causing a temporary closure, and has now left the scene.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area, with queues stretching back past junction 16 and set to build.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Shortly after 9.30am today, Friday June 23, officers were called to reports that a motorcyclist had come off his bike on the M6 Northbound between junctions 17 and 18.

"Officers are currently in attendance at the scene and rider of the bike was treated at the scene by paramedics; he has since been airlifted to Wythenshawe Hospital.

"As a result of the incident the M6 was temporarily closed northbound whilst emergency services dealt with the incident; the road reopened at 10.40am."