THE M6 was hit by a day of jams on the southbound stretch through Warrington.

A five-car crash, involving a trailer carrying cows, caused severe delays on Thursday morning.

When that was cleared at 1pm, a lorry broke down, forcing highways officials to close two lanes on the road at 1.45pm.

The crash near junction 21A for the Croft interchange temporarily forced the closed of the road in both directions while the cows were moved to another vehicle.

Congestion stretched back to junction 24 for Ashton-in-Makerfield and travel time at its height was more than an hour and 25 minutes.

The affected cows were all fine according to police.