A driver who was arrested after stopping on the M1, leading to the motorway's closure, has since been "de-arrested" police have said.

Traffic was halted in both directions at about 2pm yesterday after Highways England went to deal with a car stopped at the side of the motorway just north of Lutterworth and called in the police.

Further details about exactly what happened have not been revealed but police confirmed that there had been "concerns for the welfare" of the man and that police and a crew from East Midlands Ambulance Service had approached him once the traffic was stopped.

Queues a few miles long built up in both directions during the closure, which lasted from about 2pm to 2.45pm.

Police said that "due to his actions" he was arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance in order to get him off the motorway but he was then de-arrested, police said.

Traffic and travel - what you need to know

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said today: "Following an incident on the M1 yesterday afternoon, a man was arrested by officers on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

"Once officers had taken the man safely away from the motorway network and spoken with him, the man was de-arrested.

"The incident has now been closed."