The M6 motorway which was closed in both directions after a crash that left a lorry across three lanes has fully reopened.

The wagon had blocked all lanes of the southbound carriageway near junction 42, at the Low Hurst Railway Bridge.

It has been driving on the northbound carriageway when it hit the central reservation and overturned onto the other side of the road at about 3.20pm.

A Peugeot Boxer van and a Nissan Almera car were also involved in the incident.

A spokesman for Cumbria police said there had been initial fears for the lorry driver, but he was later said to have suffered only minor injuries. He was taken by ambulance to the city's Cumberland Infirmary.

Firefighters used cutting equipment to remove the roof from the van and free someone who was trapped inside. He was then passed into the care of paramedics.

The three occupants all suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Carlisle hospital to be checked over.

It is unclear whether the car driver was hurt.

The southbound carriageway was closed immediately between junctions 41 and 42.

At about 6.40pm Cumbria police confirmed it had closed the northbound carriageway as well, to help recovery. The road was fully reopened at about 9pm.

A spokesman for Highways England had said earlier: "The road is expected to be closed throughout this evening’s rush hour due to the complexity of the operation to recover the vehicle."

Traffic was diverted off the M6 southbound at junction 42 along the A6 to Penrith through High and Low Hesket and Plumpton.

Police and emergency services were dispatched to the crash scene.

Highways England has carried out a full inspection of the central reservation safety barrier and road surface.