Four people have been taken to hospital after a crash which led to a car setting alight on the M61 this morning.

The crash took place on he M61 southbound.

The accident happened at 10.30am.

Police said two vehicles were involved in the collision on the between junction one and junction two.

One of the cars involved then caught fire, with police, fire and ambulance services attending, as well as National Highways.

Three of the four lanes of the motorway were closed, with congestion reaching back to M61 southbound junction four Farnworth.

Two were reopened later in the afternoon,  with one remaining closed for resurfacing works due to the damage caused to the carriageway.

Congestion was reported back to M61 junction 4 Logistics North into Little Hulton as motorists strived to avoid the incident on the motorway.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At approximately 11.20am on Monday, firefighters were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the M61 at junction one.

“One fire engine from Farnworth station quickly attended the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel to extinguish a fire involving one of the vehicles.

“Three people received care from colleagues at North West Ambulance Service. Firefighters were in attendance for around 40 minutes.”

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police said: "On the M61 southbound two vehicles were in a collision just after Junction three.

"All involved are out of their vehicles with minor injuries, but the lanes are closed off because one car is smoking."

They added: "Highways England are in attendance."

National Highways also confirmed that three lanes had been closed on the M61 southbound after a two-vehicle crash, with one of the cars being ablaze.

They confirmed that police, fire and ambulance services were in attendance.

View our blog here for live updates on the incident: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/20253964.live-m61-car-fire-near-bolton-closes-three-lanes/