AN 18-year-old man has been arrested following a multi-vehicle accident on the A19 this morning which caused havoc for rush hour commuters.

Emergency services attended a two-vehicle collision between an Audi A8 and a white Vauxhall Corsa at around 5.30am on the A19 northbound.

The 18-year-old driver of the Audi has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and a number of driving offences.

The male driver of the Corsa suffered minor injuries.

The A19 Southbound has now reopened from the A689 (Wolviston) to the A1027 (Norton/Billingham).

The road was closed in both directions until around 06:10 when the Northbound carriageway re-opened. 

Witnesses reported long tailbacks of more than five miles and delays also built up on nearby roads, including 30 minute tailbacks on the A689.

Traffic in Hartlepool also built up as a result of the closure, with Seaton Lane and Brenda Road both moving "very slowly".

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "Thank you to motorists for their patience."