THE M6 has reopened southbound this morning, Friday, following a serious accident involving a van and a HGV in the early hours which left a man with 'life changing injuries'.

The incident happened at 1.35am am between junction 19 at Knutsford and junction 18 Middlewich.

Traffic is heavy in the surrounding areas and currently backed up to Woolston at junction 21.

Highway chiefs say the road reopened at 7.30am but warned delays remain in the area.

Cheshire Fire Service said firefighters found a man was trapped by the van when they arrived.

The road was then closed by police and Highways England as emergency services worked at the scene.

A spokesman said: "Fire crews stabilised the van and paramedics assessed the casualty.

"Firefighters used specialist equipment to get the man out of the van and then handed him over to the care of paramedics.

"He was taken to the Royal Stoke Hospital via an ambulance with what are believed to be life changing injuries."

Firefighters were in attendance for around two hours.