MOTORISTS travelling to Manchester faced long delays this morning.

Heavy rain lead to surface water on East Lancashire's roads and slowed traffic.

Problems were particularly bad heading southbound towards Bury and Manchester.

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There was congestion on the A56 southbound between A681 and the M66, due to heavy traffic.

Motorists faced delays of around 40 minutes, but traffic was expected to return to normal by 10.15am.

An accident on the M66 southbound near the Ramsbottom turn off also caused delays.

The collision involved two vehicles, and police said a car was in the central reservation.

It happened at around 8.20am this morning.