A motorway ground to a halt after a vehicle carrying sheep overturned in a crash this morning.
The M58 was closed both ways after the accident eastbound near Junction 5 Up Holland around 10am.
Travel monitors INRIX said the crash involved a car and trailer with tailbacks stretching to the M6 turn at Orrell Interchange.
At one point the motorway was closed both ways with Highways England tweeting: "We also have a block on the westbound carriageway whilst we transfer some animals to a replacement trailer. Thanks for your patience."
At this stage it is not known if the driver or livestock were injured.
The motorway was fully reopened westbound by 11am but a lane remained closed eastbound as of 11.30am.
The crash caused tailbacks, with motorists getting out their cars as traffic had completely ground to a halt.
One motorist said: "Been sat on the M58 for 50 mins now! No movement at all! Avoid if you’re travelling toward the M6."
INRIX said: "Stationary traffic due to overturned car and trailer and all traffic being temporarily held on M58 Eastbound from J5 A577 Pimbo Road (Up Holland) to M6 J26 ( Orrell Interchange).
"Traffic remains held Eastbound while the livestock is safely transferred to another trailer. Westbound was held between 10.40am and 11.10am where no residual delays remain."
As of 11.45am the motorway was fully open again.
