Two lanes are currently shut on the northbound carriageway between junction 5 for Westhoughton and junction 6 for Horwich. According to traffic alert service, Inrix, a crane is involved in the accident.

       Inrix reported: "One lane closed and queueing traffic due to accident, a crane involved on M61 Northbound between J5 A58 Snydale Way (Westhoughton) and J6 A6027 De Havilland Way (Horwich).

       "Lane one (of three) remains closed.

       "Lane two has since re-opened."

       Drivers have been warned of severe delays.

       In a tweet, TfGM said: "M61 northbound between J5 & J6.

       "Two lanes closed due to an RTC.

       "Allow extra time for your journey."

       MancTraffic also tweeted: " M61 n/b j5-6 queues continue past the crash where now 1 lane is closed.

       READ MORE: M61 traffic latest: M61 CLOSED between Bolton and Chorley after crash

       "Extra congestion as traffic diverts onto the A58/A6 Chequerbent Rbt and Manchester Rd, Westhoughton."

       National Highways: North-West tweeted: "The #M61 northbound #J5 (#Wigan #Bolton #Westhoughton #A58) to #J6 (#Horwich #Chorley #A6027 #A6) 1 lane has been closed due to a collision.

       "Traffic Officers @gmptraffic @NWmwaypolice & @manchesterfire are currently at the scene."

       North West Motorway Police tweeted: "We have two lanes closed on M61 northbound at j5 due to an RTC."

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       The M61 is a motorway in North West England.

       It runs from the M60 motorway northwest of Manchester and heads northwest past Bolton and Chorley.

       It joins the M6 just north of the junction between the M6 and M65 motorways to the south of Preston.

       This latest incident comes just days after junction 5 northbound of the motorway was closed due to a vehicle on fire.

       On Saturday, North West Motorway Police tweeted: "1/2 Mile before J5 Northbound M61 is now closed due to the Vehicle on Fire.

       "Police and Highways are on scene.

       "Once the Fire is out..... a Lane 1 closure will be put in place for traffic to pass safely."

       More to follow...