A VEHICLE had to be recovered from trees at the side of the M61 after it veered off the road.

Police stopped traffic on the motorway at Junction 3 for Farnworth and Kearsley in the early hours of this morning while the vehicle was pulled out.

Highways England said the vehicle had ended up in the trees due to an earlier crash.

Traffic officers were on the scene at 12.50am and the road was later reopened.

Highways England North West tweeted: "Traffic is currently stopped at #J3 #Kearsley #M61 exit for recovery of a vehicle from an earlier collision out of the trees. We hope to get you moving again as soon as possible."