A CRASH between a minibus and a motorbike is causing gridlock on the East Lancashire Road.

Police were called to the junction with the A574 Warrington Road, the Greyhound Island in Leigh, at 8.50am this morning following the collision.

The motorcyclist was said to be conscious and breathing when an ambulance arrived at the scene.

There are no details available as to how many people were on the mini bus.

It is possible the road will remain closed into the afternoon according to the Highways Agency.

It happened in already heavy traffic due to problems on the M62 after a lorry crashed and spilt its load of 6,000 live chickens onto the road.

The lorry went into the verge side safety barrier around 4am between junction 11 at Birchwood and junction 12 at Eccles.

The eastbound carriageway towards Manchester was completely closed until 10.40am and one lane remains shut while specialist recovery of the vehicle takes place.

Highways Agency officials say most of the chickens released following the crash were quickly shepherded back into the truck.

A collision was also reported between a VW Socorro and a Vauxhall Corsa at the junction between the A580 and Atherleigh Way at 6am this morning.

The accident has now been cleared but one lane was blocked at Lowton.

No one was seriously injured.