POLICE and fire teams have been called to tackle a tanker on fire on the M53 motorway at Overpool.

The incident has been reported on the North West Motorway Police Twitter account.

They temporarily closed the northbound slip road exit that leads off the motorway to the B5132 while the incident was tackled.

A Cheshire Fire Service spokesperson said: "Shortly after 3pm firefighters were called to reports of a HGV trailer fire on the M53 exit slip road at junction 7, Vauxhall terminal in Ellesmere Port.

"The fire is believed to have been caused by overheated brakes.

"The team used two hose reel jets and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire."

One fire engine attended from Chester and one fire engine attended from Powey Lane.

The slip road exit was temporarily closed, but the motorway police were able to reopen the exit once the fire had been put out just after 3.40pm. Emergency teams remained on the scene.