TWO people have been taken to hosptal following an eight-vehicle pile-up between junctions three and four of the M53 motorway Southbound this morning.

A 28-year-old woman was cut free from her Passat car by firefighters and taken to Aintree Hospital by air ambulance with injuries that are not thought to be life-threatening.

The 45-year-old driver of an Astra was taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital following the incident, which took place at around 9am. The other four drivers involved did not need hospital treatment.

A second collision, involving a car and heavy goods vehicle, took place at the same spot an hour later.

Both accidents happened between between Junction 3 A552 at Woodchurch and Junction 4, Bebington.

Crews from Birkenhead and Bromborough fire stations and a search and rescue team were sent to the scene.

The Highways Agency confirmed two lanes have been closed to traffic heading towards Bebington as a result of the crash and are expected to remain so for most of the day.

Two lanes are also closed northbound.

An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the incident.