Two lanes are closed on the M5 southbound this afternoon (Friday) following a car crash and resulting oil spill.

Ambulances, fire engines and police cars are on the scene of the accident near junction 20 (Clevedon) which witnesses have told the Mercury involved at least two vehicles.

Oil has spilled onto the carriageway.

Two of the three lanes have been closed by police just after the entry slip road.

Drivers face up to 40 minutes of delays and Traffic England hopes to have normal conditions return by 3pm.

Traffic going northbound has also been affected as drivers slow down to look at the accident.

There is some remaining traffic between junction 22 and junction 21 (Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare) northbound following an accident at lunchtime.

Junction 21 was at a stand-still earlier after a lorry and car collided at the entrance to the M5 near Weston which took place in the early hours of this morning.

**UPDATE: 2.58pm**

There are four reported casualities following the M5 accident this afternoon.

A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman said: “A female patient has been transported by ambulance to Southmead Hospital (in Bristol) for treatment. There are three other reported casualties.

The spokesman told the Mercury it was called to the scene of the accident at around 1.30pm and dispatched an operations officer, two ambulances, two hazardous area response teams and two other emergency responders.