A COLLISION which led to a section of the M6 Southbound being closed for several hours claimed a woman's life, police have confirmed.

The emergency services were alerted at 11.48am on Saturday following a collision on the southbound carriageway.

The M6 was shut between Junctions 40 and 41 until just after 5pm as emergency crews worked at the scene.

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service were called out at 11.50am. 

Police and ambulance staff were on the scene for about 40 minutes.

No details about the woman who died have yet been  released.