Torrential rain forced the closure of the M65 near Preston.

Highways England and Lancashire Police had vehicles on the scene as rain lashed the motorway between junctions 3 and 2.

The motorway was shut westbound – so you couldn’t join the M6 or M61. The eastbound carriageway was unaffected.

A picture released showed the whole carriageway flooded on the westbound side.

Lancashire Police said all traffic was held from around 8.45pm on Saturday (22 July).

The closure was is in place from junction 3 – Hoghton – through to junction 2 until around 9.30pm.

Specialist vehicles were brought in to pump the water clear and allow traffic back through.