MOTORISTS have been warned the northbound carriageway of the A19 at Hartlepool will remain closed overnight following a serious crash involving a diesel tanker.

Drivers are urged to take alternative routes as there is a clean up operation underway because of a major spillage due to the collision involving three vehicle collision at 10am on Monday.

One person was taken to hospital with what were described as minor injuries following the crash A689 Wolviston junction and the A179 Hartlepool junction further north. The two other drivers were not hurt.

Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade and the North East Ambulance Service all attended the incident and the road was closed in both directions for several hours.

Cleveland Police tweeted: "The #A19 northbound will remain closed overnight between A689 and A179 due to a collision this morning.

Please check traffic updates ahead of early morning journeys tomorrow. The southbound carriageway is being reopened imminently."

"One driver has suffered minor injuries, whilst the other two drivers have not been injured.