National Highways chiefs have released details of the accident which closed part of the M6 near Sandbach at the weekend.

They say a lorry struck a bridge. the A533 bridge carrying Newcastle Road over the M6, shedding its load of potatoes and parsnips across all four lanes of the southbound carriageway.

In accident happened at 5.15 am on Saturday and the incident wasn't cleared until 3 pm as daylight was needed for recovery, clearance and damage assessment.   

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Electronic signs were set up across the local and regional motorway network to advise drivers of the extended closure

"A diversion was put in place from junction 17 southbound. At worst there were about three miles of motorists queuing to get onto the diversion route behind the incident."

National Highways say there were no injuries and there were only "scuffs and scratches" to the bridge which was cleared after inspection.