A motorway heading to Preston has been shut due to a crash – and a horse being on the loose.

Lancashire Police have closed the M61 northbound where it joins the M6.

It’s shut between Junction 9, where it joins the M65, and the M6 link road.

Police were called at 8.15pm on Friday (4 August) to reports of a horse being on the loose.

Shortly after Highways England announced the motorway was being shut due to a multi-vehicle collision.

It is not known at this time whether the two incidents are linked.

Delays are back to junction 8 at Chorley and the motorway is not expected to reopen until shortly before 10pm.