LIVE: M61 traffic held with air ambulance on scene following 'police incident'

Traffic is being held on the M61 due to a 'police incident' this afternoon.

Police and National Highways are dealing with the incident between junction 3 and 4 of the motorway, near Bolton.

Vehicles have been stopped between junctions 2 and 4 on both the north and southbound carriageways to allow an air ambulance to land at the scene.

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The nature of the incident is not yet clear. Greater Manchester Police has been approached for further information.

The block on the Southbound M61 is now being released as air ambulance have now lifted. Block on the Northbound will remain on for now. This should be released as soon as lane 1 has been coned off. pic.twitter.com/xnZTVSmQFq

Images from the scene show the emergency service response to the incident, including an air ambulance landing nearby.

The incident is causing congestion back to junction 1 - where the M61 meets the M60 at Swinton Interchange - and junction 5 for Westhoughton, according to the traffic monitoring service Inrix.

NEW INCIDENT#M61 in both directions between J2 (#M60 #Manchester) and J4 #BoltonTRAFFIC STOPPEDDue to an ongoing @gmptraffic @gmpolice led incident. @NWAmbulance and @NWAirAmbulance attending also.Delays building.More info to follow... pic.twitter.com/lk7nGT62Hk

Police and National Highways are dealing with a police incident on M61 junction 3 to 4. Blocks are going to be put on both North and Southbound whilst air ambulance land. pic.twitter.com/Zsm4i1wuT4