A woman has died in a horror crash on the motorway in the early hours of this morning.

The incident, which was reported to Cheshire Police at 12.15am, resulted in the death of a 52-year-old on the M6 between junction 21 and junction 21a.

The force issued the following statement: "At 12.15am today, officers came across a collision involving a white car on the M6 motorway between Junction 21 and Junction 21a.

"Shortly after officers discovered that a 52-year-old woman from Stoke-on-Trent had been struck by a vehicle on the M6 to the M62 slip road.

"Attempts to save the woman were conducted, but despite officers’ best efforts, she was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene at 1.14am."

They added: "A 52-year-old man from Preston has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving."

It took nine hours before the motorway was reopened between junction 21 and junction 21a.