Police have launched a search for the driver of a car which was on fire on the motorway last night.

The M61  near Bolton was closed throughout the night after a fire broke out just after 6pm.

Officers closed carriageway near Bolton  and have said that there is a concern for welfare for the driver, who did not remain at the scene.

Police have been searching the surrounding areas to try and find the driver and the M61 has now been fully re-opened.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “At approximately 6:30pm last night (Thursday 5 January 2023) officers were called to reports of a car on fire near junction 4 on the M61 North Motorway in Farnworth, Bolton.

“Officers and fire were in attendance.

“There is a concern for welfare for the driver who did not remain at the scene.

“Officers have been deployed to search the surrounding area to locate the driver and to conduct further enquiries.”

The northbound carriageway between Kearsley Spur, junction 3, and Watergate Lane, Farnworth at junction 4, was closed into the night  as a result of the incident.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service told The Bolton News: "“At around 6.20pm on Thursday 5 January, GMFRS crews were called to reports of a vehicle on fire on the M61 northbound between junctions 2 and 3 near Worsley.

“Three fire engines from Bolton Central and Farnworth fire stations quickly attended the incident. Firefighters used two hose reels to extinguish the fire.

“GMFRS crews were in attendance for around half an hour.”

The motorway was reopened after the fire was extinguished but closed again on orders of the North West Motorway police.

Diversions were put in place for motorists with  lanes fully reopening just after 5am.