Five-mile queues heading north on M1 after smash closes three lanes near Luton during evening rush hour

Highways England cameras show the M1 gridlocked at around 3.30pm

Drivers heading north on the M1 are being warned they face massive delays during Thursday evening's rush hour after a crash closed three lanes near Luton.

Highways England traffic officers and emergency services are on the scene of the smash, between Junction 11 and Junction 11A.

A spokesman for the agency said at 3.30pm: "There is currently five miles of congestion on approach to this #M1 northbound incident. Please add an extra 50 minutes onto your journey time."

Tailbacks are already stretching past Junction 10 for Luton Airport and estimates are it could take until 8pm for traffic to return to normal in area.

JamCams showed the motorway gridlocked and sensors picked up roads through Luton and Dunstable becoming increasingly busy as drivers heading for Milton Keynes and Northampton attempt to find an alternative route.