A crash between a lorry and a tanker closed the M62 in both directions between junctions 26 and 27 near Bradford for several hours today.

One driver suffered serious leg injuries in the crash on the eastbound carriageway which occurred at about 12.30pm.

The westbound carriageway was also temporarily closed to allow West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to carry out an assessment on the tanker load, a Highways Agency spokesman said.

That carriageway was re-opened at 4.20pm and lanes two and three of the eastbound carriageway were re-opened at 5.30pm following work to recover vehicles, including the damaged tanker unit, from the carriageway.

Lane one of the eastbound carriageway was expected to remain closed into this evening for specialist recovery of the tanker unit to take place.

Fire crews from Bradford, Odsal, Cleckheaton and Morley were called to the scene.

The tanker was carrying a flammable liquid and a 50 metre exclusion zone was initally put in place by firefighters.

Major congestion built up on the motorway and on diversion routes as the incident was dealt with.