DRIVERS are experiencing delays on the M61 after a crash near Junction 5 for Bolton and Westhoughton.

The southbound carriageway of the motorway was temporarily shut between Junction 5 and Junction 4 for Walkden, with traffic being stopped.

Motorists reported seeing "a car facing the wrong way on the central reservation."

The incident is understood to have happened at about 6.30am.

The vehicles involved in the collision have now been moved to the hard shoulder, with traffic being released at about 7.15am.

Congestion has built up to junction six for Horwich.

Highways England traffic officers were called to the scene.

Highways England North West tweeted at about 7.15am: "M61 from J5 (Bolton and Westhoughton) towards J4 (Walkden). Traffic released, all vehicles on the hard shoulder."

The update follows an earlier post which read: "The M61 from J5 (Bolton and Westhoughton) towards J4 (Walkden) traffic has been temporarily stopped due to a collision.

"We are in the process of moving vehicles to the hard shoulder.

"Traffic officers are on scene."