A motorist had a hugely lucky escape after a  wheel came crashing into the car he was driving on a motorway.

Pictures released by the police show the horrific damage caused after the wheel came off a suspected stolen van on Friday.

Emergency services were called.

A spokesman for North West Motorway Police said the van on the northbound carriageway lost its wheel and occupants made off.

He added: "A very very lucky BMW driver on the southbound carriageway now suffering shock after his vehicle was hit by the wheel. Van removed as may be stolen."

Yesterday the same police unit stopped two wanted persons and arrested this morning on the region's motorways.

One was wanted for assault and the second in a separate stop for sexual offences. Both have been conveyed to custody suites.