THE police is appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was seriously injured on the M5 motorway near Halesowen on Thursday.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to the northbound carriageway between junctions 3 and 2 at around 3.40pm following reports that a red and silver Kawasaki motorbike had hit the central reservation.

"The motorway was closed for several hours and an air ambulance was called to take the driver to hospital."

The 57-year-old, from ‪Wolverhampton, continues to be treated in hospital for his injuries where his condition is described as serious but stable.

The spokesman added: "This happened at a busy time of day on a busy stretch of the M5 and we are appealing to any passing motorists who saw what happened to get in touch.

"The motorway was closed for several hours while we dealt with the collision and all lanes were reopened at around 7pm.

"We would like to thank those who were inconvenienced for their patience while we got the man to hospital and made the road safe."

He added: "Specialist officers are supporting the family and the driver at this time and investigations continue to establish the circumstances that led to the crash."

Anyone with information is urged to call PC Stuart Thorpe or PC Claire Byrne on 101.