A WOMAN has died following a serious road traffic collision on the M56 near Chester this evening.

Cheshire police are still dealing with the accident which happened on the eastbound carriageway near to the Chester Services at Hapsford just after 4pm today.

A woman involved in the collision was air lifted to hospital by the air ambulance but has now died and next of kin are being traced.

Five other people have been injured in the collision and have been taken to hospital.

Latest estimates are that the lanes on the eastbound carriageway will be closed for at least another hour.

Police officers at the scene have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision. Work is ongoing to remove the vehicles involved and clear the carriageway.

In the meantime police are asking drivers using the westbound carriageway to ensure they continue on their journey as slow traffic passing the collision scene is causing gridlock on that carriageway.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have information relating to the collision or anyone who witnessed the accident to contact them using the 101 number quoting incident number 607 of today.