A fatal early morning collision saw a woman hit by a car on the motorway.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a 52-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle on the M6 between junction 21 and 21a, at 12.15am.

A 52-year-old man from Preston has been arrested by the force on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A statement by Cheshire Police read: "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."

The incident caused chaos for rush hour commuters with closures in place between junction 21, Woolston Interchange, and J21a, Croft Interchange.

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