Drivers were stuck in rush-hour delays of two-and-a-half hours on the M6 today after a series of potholes opened up on the road.

Eight miles of queues stretched on the southbound carriageway from Junction 9 to Junction 12.

The delays between Wednesbury and Cannock  caused problems for motorists trying to get onto the carriageway.

The delays were caused by emergency roadworks to potholes that had opened up on the entrance slip road to Junction 10. The pothole covered a distance of 14 metres.

The emergency repairs, which resulted in the closure of one lane of the M6 at Junction 10, had to be carried out as the holes were causing HGVs to wobble off course as they joined the motorway.

The potholes were first spotted at 5.18am and crews had them repaired within three hours.

A broken down van in the fast lane near Junction 10 at around 8.15am also added to the congestion.