A CAR was engulfed in flames at the side of the M6 at junction 18 for Middlewich and Holmes Chapel today. 

Firefighters from Crewe, Middlewich and Sandbach were sent to the scene at 10.40am.

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service said: "On arrival crews found one car which was well alight. The team used two hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire."

One lane of the northbound carriageway was closed while the team dealt with the incident and caused heavy traffic between junctions 17 and 18. 

The lane was reopened at around 11.50am.