A long section of a major motorway was closed for hours last night over concerns for the safety of a man.

Police were called around 10.20pm last night to reports of a man on a bridge between junctions six and eight of the M61.

Traffic on the motorway was stopped southbound (towards Bolton) around 11pm with emergency services rushing to the scene, causing severe queues.

The road was closed in both directions with some traffic having to be turned around to get people off the motorway.

The incident was resolved around 1am this morning with the man taken to hospital for treatment.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "We were called around 10.20pm yesterday (Tuesday, August 3) to a report of a concern for safety involving a man on a bridge between Junctions 6 and 8 of the M61.

"Emergency services attended the scene with the motorway closed in both directions.

"The incident was resolved by 1am today (Wednesday, August 4) with the man taken to hospital for treatment."

Highways England kept motorists updated at the time, and thanked people for their patience.