LIVE M61 shut by police due to 'serious incident' - traffic updates

A major motorway has been shut this morning by police following a 'serious incident'.

The M61 is shut along its southbound carriageway between junction 6 for Bolton and junction 5 for Westhoughton following the incident, which happened just before 5am.

A diversion is in place. On X, National Highways posted: "NEW INCIDENT #M61 southbound J6 #Bolton to J5 #Westhoughton

#GreaterManchester ROAD CLOSED Due to a serious incident being led by @gmpolice and @gmptraffic."

It added on its website: "The M61 in Greater Manchester is closed between J6 Horwich Interchange (Bolton (W), Horwich (A673)) and J5 Hunger Hill Interchange (Westhoughton, Hindley, Deane A58) due to a serious, police-led incident.

"Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police, North West Ambulance Service and National Highways are attending. Traffic travelling northbound is also being diverted off and back on at J6 due to this incident.

"If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."

Travel service Inrix posted: "M61 Southbound closed due to police incident from J6 A6027 De Havilland Way (Horwich) to J5 A58 Snydale Way (Westhoughton). Northbound is also closed at J6 between the slip roads."

This is a breaking news incident. Further updates including diversion details will be posted below.

The motorway remains shut on the southbound carriageway.

Road users are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs: