Suspected fuel thieves closed a 12 mile stretch of the M6 in Warwickshire after police were called to reports of a "suspicious vehicle".

The motorway was closed in both directions between junctions 2 and 4 after police were called to Corley services at 14:30 BST.

Warwickshire Police said two men ran from the scene across fields. Police are still looking for one of them.

A bomb disposal team examined a white transit van and declared it safe.

'Rush hour'

The force is now treating the incident as a bulk fuel theft.

Supt Martin Samuel said police took all reports of suspicious activity and vehicles "very seriously".

Closing the motorway was "a precaution", he said, and apologised to motorists for the delays.

"Not only was it rush hour, but the start of the Bank Holiday weekend.

"It's hard to think of a more difficult time to close the motorway," he added.

The Highways Agency said the motorway had reopened in both directions.