MOTORISTS were hit by lengthy delays following two crashes on the M65 yesterday morning.

The first incident saw a four-car collision at Junction 10 for Burnley (Central) and Padiham, heading west, at around 7.50am.

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The collision involved a Fiat Doblo, a Vauxhall Zafira, a Mini One and a Kia.

Two ambulances were sent to the scene, with one person taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said.

A spokesman said at least one of the cars went into the central reservation, and both lanes were blocked until recovery vehicles could attend the scene.

The carriageway was finally cleared at around 10.30am.

A second incident happened in the queuing traffic shortly afterwards — at Junction 12 at Brierfield, also westbound.

Roads throughout the area ground to a halt as motorists keen to avoid the long queues jammed up alternative routes.

Traffic officers allowed motorists to use the M65’s hard shoulder in a bid to ease the congestion. Several drivers took to social-media sites to vent their frustration.

Police said following the collisions a 40-year-old man, of Nelson, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after allegedly failing a roadside breath test.

Jack Cooke, of Pendle, said: “Eight miles per hour on a motorway is not a good sign. Going to be stuck here for a while.”

Gary Frielick said: “Having a shocking journey to work this morning. By the time I get there, it will be time to set off back.”

And Sammy Johnson said: “I wondered why Accrington Road was backed up to the high heavens earlier. Hope all involved are OK.”

Others described the M65 as a car park and warned drivers to avoid the area.

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 7.59am to Junction 10 westbound of the M65 to a multiple-vehicle road traffic collision.

“We sent two ambulances. One patient was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.”