A stretch of the M61 has been closed due to a police incident.
Lancashire Road Police confirmed at 5.40pm that the motorway had been closed in both directions between junction 9 (Brindle) and junction 6 (Horwich).
Officers have described it as a 'concern for safety' incident.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police tweeted: "The M61 is currently closed close to Junction 8 while we deal with a concern for safety incident.
"We would ask all motorists to avoid the area if possible and to find alternative routes. We will update as soon as we can."
Part of the motorway has since been reopened but a diversion is still in place around junction 8 (Chorley).
Just before 6pm, Highways England tweeted: "The #M61 southbound J9 (Brindle/M65) to J8 (Chorley/A674/A6) is currently CLOSED due to a Police incident, There is also a minor diversion on the northbound at J8 as traffic is having to exit the motorway, to rejoin via the entry slip road."
Due to the closure and diversions, traffic is currently queuing and people are being asked to find alternative routes.
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