A woman has been rushed to hospital after a major crash forced the A1(M) to close in one direction.

Herts Police said at 12.07pm today that the motorway was shut southbound between junctions 8 and 9, for Stevenage North and Letchworth, after the “serious incident”.

A force spokesperson confirmed at 1pm that officers are currently re-opening two of the lanes on the southbound carriageway, while one lane remains closed.

A helicopter from the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance was called, with traffic temporarily stopped on the northbound carriageway to allow it to land, National Highways has said.

Update: woman hospitalised with 'serious injuries'

The East of England Ambulance Service have now confirmed that a woman has been taken to Addenbrookes Hospital with "serious injuries" following the crash today. She was taken there by road ambulance.

Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle and two ambulance officer vehicles went to the scene as well as the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

The vehicles involved and nature of any injured are currently unclear. Updates to follow.