Motorists are being urged not to travel after a number of accidents across Cumbria.

Police and county council highways departments are calling on drivers not to take to the roads as emergency services deal with incidents across Cumbria.

In particular, they have been attending a spate of incidents on the A69 between Carlisle and Newcastle.

On Twitter this afternoon, Cumbria Roads Police say: "Please DO NOT travel unless you absolutely have to..our team in the North of Cumbria are reporting extreme conditions and there is a very strong likelihood of getting stuck or being involved in a collision."

The A69 has been closed since 1.40pm with drivers experiencing long delays.

Two vehicles were involved between Lanercost turn and east of Low Row.

Police say there is not believed to be any injuries for those involved but the road is blocked.

It follows other incidents on the A69 today.

A collision involving 'multiple vehicles' happened at Low Road just before noon.

It was the second serious incident on that stretch of road today after a lorry jackknifed earlier on.

A police spokesman said: "There is believed to be multiple vehicles involved, however further details are not yet known at this time.

The road is currently blocked, and motorists are being asked to avoid the area."

Elsewhere, at 1.53pm police were called to reports of a two vehicle collision on the M6 southbound at Kendal involving two wagons.

There is not believed to be any injuries, but all three lanes are thought to be blocked.

Police were also called to reports of a van crashing into the central reservation just north of junction 37, partially blocking a lane of the southbound carriageway.

There are also reports of an accident on the M6 northbound at Southwaite Services with traffic coping well.

Police have also been called to deal with a collision where a car crashed into a railway bridge in west Cumbria.

Officers were sent out at 12.50pm today to Dearham Bridge, Maryport, off the A596.

It was the only car involved in the incident.

Network Rail temporarily stopped the train running to allow the situation to be assessed, however, no damage was caused to the line and passengers faced minimal disruption.

A police spokesman said :"On attendance the vehicle had been moved away from the fence and no debris on the railway line. Nobody was injured."