The M61 was closed in both directions yesterday evening, Thursday, between Chorley and Horwich due to a concern for welfare of a woman.

Traffic was held at a stand stead yesterday just after 6pm due to a police incident on the M61, between junction 6 A6027 De Havilland Way, Horwich, and junction 8 A674 Millennium Way, Chorley.

Traffic was held from 6.10pm until around 7.45pm.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “The motorway was closed yesterday evening (Thursday) due to a concern for welfare.

“Nobody was injured, and the incident was resolved at about 7.30pm/8pm.

“The motorway is now reopened.”

Police confirmed the person involved in the incident was a woman and she was taken to safety.

The incident caused long delays on the motorway, with queuing traffic.

The motorway was partially reopened at 7.40pm before the motorway was back open at 7.45pm, having been closed for around 90 minutes.