A COLLAPSED manhole cover has led to huge delays on the M56 motorway this afternoon, Thursday.

The incident occurred on the eastbound side of the carriageway between junctions 14 for Hapsford and Chester Services and 12 for Runcorn.

Two of three lanes on the carriageway had to close while engineers looked into the incident.

While the collapsed manhole cover has been repaired and all lanes reopened, there are now eight miles of delays on the motorway, causing 90-minute congestion times.

Motorists are being advised to consider alternate routes, although the congestion is expected to ease throughout the afternoon.