THE M5 northbound is expected to remain closed between junctions 11 and 9 until 'at least' tomorrow morning following a serious crash and lorry fire.

Police were called to a three vehicle crash at 5.20am on Sunday which caused disruption throughout the day and is expected to continue to cause delays tomorrow as the road is repaired.

A Ford Fiesta is believed to have parked behind a lorry to offer help before a second lorry crashed into the first, Gloucestershire police have said.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: “We were called at 5.20am this morning with a report of a three vehicle collision.”

It is not known at this stage whether anyone suffered injuries in the crash or subsequent fire.The motorway was closed in both directions in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Diversions are in place onto the A40, A471 and M50 to rejoin the motorway at junction 9.

The incident caused three mile tailbacks on the southbound carriageway and delays throughout the day.

Five fire crews attended the scene - three from Gloucester and one from Tewkesbury. A water carrier from Cheltenham also attended and the fire was put out but damage was caused to the surface of the carriageway.

The road was damaged in the blaze and must be resurfaced following the fire on the northbound carriageway, Highways England has confirmed.

A spokesperson fsaid the northbound carriageway between 11 and 9 'is still closed and will be until at least 6am tomorrow'.