Flash flooding has shut a section of the M61 during Wednesday evening.

Lancashire Police said the motorway iwas shut between Junction 8 and 6 in the southbound direction.

The motorway was reopened around 3am on Thursday.

The southbound closures were due to a large amount of surface water in the carriageway caused by a burst water main.

A two car crash also took place on the southbound side of the motorway around the same time, according to National Highways North West.

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The closure was put in place shortly before 8pm on Wednesday (7 February).

There were also delays reported on the northbound M61 between Junction 6 and Junction 8.

Diversions were in place via the A6 through Chorley to then join the motorway at Junction 8 northbound or at Junction 6 at Horwich southbound.

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