TWO men have died after a multi-vehicle crash on the M40.

Police and ambulance crews were called to the northbound carriageway of the motorway near Banbury at about 11.40pm on Saturday night.

A 60-year old man from Oxfordshire and a 29-year old man from Warwickshire both died following the collision between junction 10 and 11.

Another man was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries and three others were treated for minor injuries.

The next of kin have been informed of the fatalities.

Chief Inspector Henry Parsons from the joint operation unit for Roads Policing said: "Our thoughts are with both men's families at this difficult time.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference number URN 1669 (23/12).

Police shut the motorway near Banbury while a clear-up operation was underway, following what officers described as a serious incident.

South Central Ambulance Service said five crews attended the scene and six patients were injured after the incident.

Michelle Archer of SCAS said that they were called to the scene at 23.37pm and treated six patients.

She said that one man was confirmed deceased at the scene, three were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, one in a life-threatening condition, one in a serious condition and another with minor injuries.

Another was taken to the Horton Hospital and a sixth person was treated at the scene.

Five ambulances attended as well as two ambulance officers, a doctor and a specialist.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed it sent crews from Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington to the scene.

Firefighters then spent two-and-a-half hours using specialist equipment to cut people free from wreckage.

The crash happened shortly before midnight with the road being shut until 8am on Sunday morning.

The road was shut up to junction 11.