The M53 has been closed both ways due to gas leak between J2 at Moreton Spur and J3 A552 Woodchurch.

The gas leak happened on a road near to the motorway on Neville Close after a collision involving a car and gas pipe.

The carriageway has been closed as a precaution while engineers attend to the leak.

For updates click here.

Police have issued this statement: "Emergency Services - Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service - and National Grid are currently at the scene of a road traffic collision involving a car and a gas pipe.

"Emergency services were called just before 5.30am to reports that a BMW car had collided with a gas pipe on Neville Close, Noctorum.

"A cordon has been put in place for the safety of those in the surrounding area and the M53 between junctions 2 and 3 has been closed.

"Motorists are advised to find alternative routes and a number of road closures have been put in place in the area around Neville Close."

It is understood the two occupants of the car were not seriously injured.