Four people were taken to hospital with minor injuries following a seven-car pile-up on the M40 southbound last night.

The accident happened between Junction 10, Ardley, and Junction 9, Wendlebury, shortly after 7pm.

Firefighters, police and ambulance were called to the scene. A man with a minor head wound and a 45-year-old man with an ankle injury were taken to the Horton Hospital Banbury, by a paramedic response car.

A child with neck pain and a man with a head injury were transported to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, by ambulance.

None of the injuries were thought to be life-threatening.

The air ambulance was called and the road was closed in both directions for about 20 minutes while the helicopter landed, but no-one was airlifted.

Eight other adults, a child and a baby were assessed on scene for minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.

The fire service also helped release two dogs from one of the cars, who were left in the care of their owners.

A single lane of the busy motorway was closed until 9.40pm.