A MAN was trapped in his car for an hour after a crash on the M61.

It happened on the northbound carriageway, between junction 2 and junction 4 at Farnworth, just before 7.30am on Saturday.

He was freed by firefighters and taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said although his injuries were potentially serious, they were not thought to be life-threatening.

The collision involved two vehicles and the northbound carriageway of the motorway was closed throughout the morning, for recovery work .

The southbound carriageway was also shut because it was easier for the emergency vehicles to access the scene from the other side, a Highways Agency spokesman said.

A diversion has been put in place, causing long delays for drivers.