EDINBURGH (REUTERS) - Eight people died when two lorries and a minibus collided on one of Britain's main motorways early on Saturday (Aug 26) at the start of a busy bank holiday weekend, police said.

Four others were injured in the collision just before 3.15am in the southbound lane of the M1 motorway near the English town of Newport Pagnell, 80km north-west of London, the force added.

"All of the deceased were travelling in the minibus.

The four taken to hospital were also travelling in the minibus of whom one is a child," said Thames Valley police, adding that the vehicle was believed to have travelled from the Nottingham area.

Two men, the drivers of the two lorries, were arrested and remained in custody.

Both are being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while one of them has an additional count of driving with more than the permitted alcohol level.