Extreme congestion is now being reported by Highways England, external on routes around the M6 in Staffordshire as well as on the motorway itself.

The route's been shut since the early hours after the lorry crash, near Cannock and Stafford.

Highways England says there is about four miles of "very heavy congestion" on the northbound side between J11a and J12 and five-and-a-half miles southbound from J14 to J13.

Allen Cook
BBC News

The M6 in Staffordshire remains shut this morning, here's what we know so far:

• A lorry crashed just after midnight between J12 and J13, near Cannock, hit the central reservation and crossed on to the opposite carriageway
• The vehicle then caught alight and firefighters had to put out the fire
• There's no report yet on whether anyone's been hurt in the crash
• Highways England says the motorway's likely to stay shut through the morning rush hour due to the damage and amount of fuel spread across the carriageways

Image source, Highways England

Allen Cook
BBC News

Delays are approaching an hour for drivers on the northbound side, Highways England's said. , external

They've described their recovery of the badly damaged lorry between J12 and J13 as "complex", and say the fire has caused "significant damage".

On the southbound side, delays are about 45 minutes between J14 and J13 while northbound it's about 30 minutes between J11a and J12.

Roads around the M6 near Cannock are also getting congested, the Inrix travel service reports.

With the motorway shut between J12 and J13 in both directions, drivers on both sides are being directed by Highways England , externalthrough Penkridge and Gailey via the A449 and A5.

The M6 between J12 and J13 is likely to be shut through the morning's rush hour, Highways England says, external, after this morning's lorry crash and fire.

Image source, Highways England

The vehicle hit the central reservation and overturned, spreading debris and fuel across the northbound side, near Cannock.

Highways England adds, because of the damage to the barrier and carriageway, teams will need to carry out extensive repairs.

Allen Cook
BBC News

There are long delays on the M6 this morning and the motorway's shut in both directions near Cannock after a lorry crashed and caught fire., external

Image source, Highways England

It happened at about 01:00 between J12, for Gailey, and J13, for Stafford south, external, and both carriageways have been shut since then.

Highways England says there's congestion northbound to J11A and southbound to J14 Stafford North.

The latest updates after a lorry crashed and caught fire on the M6 in Staffordshire

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

You can get in touch via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook, external.

Michael Dawson strikes at last, while James Coppinger strikes again - among five things you may have missed from the EFL.

Wolves have returned to European competition for the first time since 1980, so can they win the Europa League?

Chance Bright was left paralysed from the waist down after being dragged about 95 metres by a van.

Worcestershire comfortably hold out for a draw against Glamorgan, finishing on 143-1 after being set 326 in 66 overs.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It will be a cloudy night with some outbreaks of rain and lows of 15C (59F).

Chance Bright has spoken of his ordeal following court convictions.

Campaigners against LGBT relationships education were fundraising to challenge an injunction against protests.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

A Spanish firm which converts non-recyclables into new plastics is being lined up as an “ideal addition” to a proposed £34.5m recycling facility in Coventry.

A council official is to visit Plastic Energy at its site in Seville later this month to see its production plant in action.

Based on the findings, the council could attempt to bring the firm to the city in a move which would mean Plastic Energy’s first plant expansion in Europe.

An authority report said “an investment in this technology could make a commercial return” for the council.

BBC Radio Stoke

A budget of £750,000 has been set aside by Stafford Borough Council to draw up plans for a new town.

It's proposing 10,000 new homes on the site of the old Swynnerton Army Training Camp, along with new schools and medical facilities.

Image source, Google

Some people living in the area have raised concerns about over-development and say they're in the dark, but others say the extra business will be good for the area.

Sam Hain, Matt Lamb and Dom Sibley all make half-centuries as Warwickshire limit title hopefuls Essex to just three wickets in the day.

Glamorgan struggle to 44-2 in reply to Worcestershire's 205 all out on day at New Road.