M61 LIVE: Delays as all traffic STOPPED amid 'car fire' - latest updates

All traffic has been stopped on a stretch of the M61 this morning amid a 'car fire'.

Traffic is being held on the southbound carriageway. It is held from junction four for Farnworth and junction three for Kearsley Spur.

Queues are building up to the incident. A tweet posted by the North West Motorway Police said: "Traffic on the M61 Sb between J4 & J3 is currently stopped due to car fire.

"As soon as it is safe, 2 lanes of 3 will be re-opened."

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There are now long delays up to the closure.

There is also congestion on the northbound side due to onlookers.

According to traffic alert service Inrix, traffic is 'stationary' on the southbound carriagway.

There is also reportedly a lane closure on the northbound side.

Traffic is being held between J4 and J3.