A POLICE marksman shot and injured a man on the M6 near Wigan in an early morning gun drama today.

The man, in his 20s, was shot in the legs by an officer from a police firearms team after a 10 mile motorway chase.

Police closed the motorway as they attempted to negotiate with the man who they say was brandishing a firearm.

Motorists suffered long delays and tailbacks after the incident near junction 26 at Orrell after a stretch of the motorway was closed.

The incident began at 3.20am when police in St Helens started to follow a vehicle as it travelled towards the M6.

When it reached Greater Manchester, unarmed officers from the county, plus armed officers from Lancashire and Merseyside, tried to stop the car.

It eventually crashed into a safety barrier near junction 26 and a man, with a gun, leapt from the car.

Police say they began negotiating, but when he started threatening officers with a gun, a marksman shot him in the legs.

The gunman was taken to hospital for treatment but his condition is not life threatening. Police have not revealed which hospital he has been taken to.

The busy motorway was immediately cordoned off and remained closed this morning as an investigation was launched.

A spokesman for AA Roadwatch said the closure had caused massive rush hour disruption, with at least eight miles of stationary traffic on the southbound carriageway and several miles of traffic jams on the northbound lanes.

Alternative routes tried by commuters on their way to work were also heavily congested. An investigation into the incident is being overseen by the Police Complaints Authority.

Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Grahame Barker said later that the man was shot by one of his officers after refusing to put down what officers believed to be a gun.

Mr Barker said: "Armed officers from Merseyside and Lancashire were joined by unarmed officers from Greater Manchester at the scene.

"The man then got out of his car and threatened officers with what was believed to be a firearm.

"The man was challenged by officers to put the weapon down.

"Officers from Lancashire Constabulary contained the scene whilst armed response officers from Merseyside tried to negotiate with the man.

"The incident escalated and officers, unable to persuade the man to put the weapon down and fearing for their safety, discharged their weapons."

Mr Barker declined to answer questions, or to reveal whether the alleged firearm was indeed a genuine gun.

He added: "Merseyside Police expresses regret that anyone finds themselves injured. However these were difficult circumstances which will be fully and independently investigated by another force under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

"It would be inappropriate to comment any further on the detail of the incident as the matter has been referred to the PCA."