LEWIN Street in Middlewich is closed after an ambulance became trapped under an archway in the early hours of this morning.

One fire engine from Middlewich and the rapid response vehicle from Holmes Chapel attended the incident at 12:45am.

A police spokesman said that an ambulance responding to a call for assistance came into contact with the roof of a bridged archway in Lewin Street.

The ambulance was occupied by two members of staff. No injuries were sustained.

The spoksman said: "The initial callout was dealt with by another ambulance. As a result of the collision Lewin Street (A533) is currently closed and local diversions are in place for residents. HGVs are advised to avoid the area, and access M6 junction 17 via the A534."

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said: "Nobody was trapped in the ambulance which had dislodged a main support beam and a structural engineer was asked to attend before the ambulance could be removed.

"Lewin Street was closed to traffic and residents evacuated from nearby properties affected by the vehicle becoming stuck.

"Gas to the properties was isolated but residents were allowed back in when a safety survey had been carried out. Firefighters have handed the incident over to police."

Motorist are being advised to avoid the Middlewich area.