The Central Motorway Police Group has issued a tweet warning drivers they face punishment for driving under Red X signs on the M6.

Officers were dealing with a crash on the motorway near Stafford on Monday 2 January and the signs were closing lanes to allow for recovery.

However CMPG Tweeted that more than a hundred vehicles “that “didn’t bother” to obey the signs and that they should, “expect a letter in the post with some points and a fine attached”.

“Red ‘X’ means lane closed, probably because someone is in danger,” they added.

National Highways says that people caught driving under a Red X could receive a fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points, and in some cases “more severe penalties or a court appearance”.