This is why the M61 southbound was closed this morning

At around 3am traffic was brought to a standstill on the M61 southbound, between junction eight, Chorley,  and junction six Aspull.

One lane northbound was also closed

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said the crash involved a lorry and a car.

It appeared a woman was trapped inside the car, which is why the carriageway was closed for an hour.

The woman, who suffered minor injuries, was removed from the car and taken to Preston hospital.

All lanes are now open and the backlog of traffic has cleared.

A police spokesperson said: “We attended around 2.50am and found a collision had occurred between a lorry and a car.

“It looks like a woman was trapped inside the car so the southbound carriageway was closed for about an hour while she was removed.

“One lane northbound was also closed. The woman in the car suffered minor injuries and went to Royal Preston Hospital.”

A spokesperson for National Highways said: “All lanes are now open on the M61 southbound between J8 Chorley and J6 Aspull following a multi vehicle collision. Delays are clearing well.

“Thank you for your patience.”