Lancashire Police said on Facebook: "The Northbound carriageway of the M6 has been closed just after Charnock Richard services.

This is due to a collision between a van and a stationary skip wagon which has left one of the drivers with some really serious injuries.

We know that this closure will have a significant impact on motorists, however our officers are working as quickly as they can at the scene to get the carriageway back open.

Please find alternative routes if you can, because the carriageway could be closed for several hours.

We would ask that people in moving traffic do not film from their vehicles. Two people have already been seen doing this, and we will look to prosecute them in due course."