All lanes on the M56 have reopened after a van blaze.

Cheshire Police had closed a lane near junction 14 at Helsby at about 2pm on Thursday (October 1), but traffic was allowed to move as normal again at 3pm.

A vehicle on fire on the hard shoulder of the M56 with police setting up a lane closure. Picture by Cheshire Police Chief Constable Simon Byrne

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two fire engines attended and the van had now been extinguished.

Chief Constable Simon Byrne was also on the scene and shared pictures of the fire.

He had earlier tweeted Cheshire Police were conducting an exercise on the M6 and making their way back via the M56.

Congestion caused by the incident has now cleared in both directions.