A FOOTBALLER has been arrested by police investigating a motorway crash that killed two boys.

Goalkeeper Luke McCormick, was held by police after two boys, aged eight and 10, were fatally injured in a collision on the M6 in north Staffordshire this morning.

In a statement, Plymouth Argyle Football Club said: "The club is aware of an incident involving one of our players that occurred on Saturday morning on the M6."

Staffordshire Police would not identify the man held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The 24-year-old from Coventry is a former England youth international and was twice voted the clubs young player of the season, according to Plymouth Argyles website.

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said officers were still questioning a man held earlier today in connection with the collision, which involved a black Range Rover and a Toyota Previa people carrier.

The force confirmed the 37-year-old Toyota driver taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with serious injuries is the father of the two boys who died.

He remained in a serious condition in hospital this afternoon but his injuries are not life-threatening.

The other occupants of the people carrier were a 49-year-old man and two boys aged 15 and eight.

It is thought the party were travelling from Manchester to Silverstone, in Northamptonshire, when the crash happened shortly before 5.45am near junction 16 of the motorway.