THE M60 has re-opened after a coach caught fire this morning.

Emergency services were called to M62/M60 Junction 18 (Simister Island) around 7.45am this morning after reports of a coach catching fire.

Passengers evacuated the coach onto the hard shoulder, but it is understood that no injuries were sustained.

But the slip road at junction 18 on the westbound carriageway, where the M62 , M60 and M66 meet, was closed for three hours as fire crews fought the blaze.

The Bolton News:

A travel coach had to be evacuated at Simister Island after it caught fire this morning.

A spokesman for the North West Motorway Police said just after 8am that firefighters were ‘dampening down’ and that it was expected the motorway would be reopened soon.

Bank holiday traffic was beginning to build up as a result of the closure and motorists were urged to avoid the area.

All lanes are now open and traffic is moving.