TWO motorways were closed tonight as part of a police hunt for an escaped prisoner.

       Stretches of the M5 and M56 were shut during the operation, leading to 14-mile queues of traffic.

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       The search for escaped inmate Jonathan Simpson, 40, caused traffic chaos Credit: @PoliceWarr 2

       The M5 and M56 were shut as officers looked for the missing lag Credit: Google Maps

       Officers are trawling Cheshire for missing lag Jonathan Simpson, 40, who was last seen at HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton at 9am today.

       Motorists were seen buying ice-creams to get them through the huge delays as they desperately waited for the gridlock to clear.

       All traffic was halted in both directions on the M6 at junction 20 (Lymm) at around 6.30pm in wake of what was described as a "police incident".

       Queues then wrapped back for miles to junction 19 and onto the M56.

       The M6 reopened to all traffic at around 8.30pm. Traffic remains on the M56 after reports of a collision.

       Cheshire Police have confirmed the closures were to allow for searches to find the missing prisoner, who remains at large.

       Simpson is described as white, 5'11 inches tall with black shaved hair, green eyes and a beard.

       He was last seen wearing a dark navy Under Armour tracksuit and has "Krystal" tattooed on his upper right arm.

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       He is known to have links within the West Yorkshire area.

       Inspector Neil Anson said: "We currently have numerous officers and police dogs visible in ongoing searches for Simpson.

       "While numerous enquiries are ongoing we’re urging anyone who sees Simpson to not approach him but to instead call Cheshire Constabulary immediately on 999 quoting IML 1228955.

       "Officers will be maintaining a presence around the prison and in the local area to provide reassurance to the community.

       "If you have any concerns please do speak to one of them."

       Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

       Disgruntled drivers are reported to have made the best of their bad situation by grabbing an ice cream.

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       Ross Harper told the Manchester Evening News: "We were stuck on the M56 for around three hours.

       "I think somebody must have knocked on the ice cream van window asking if they could get an ice cream and then the next thing you know more and more people were rocking up to get one, I was literally in stitches when I was watching it happen."