Flames and smoke could be seen for miles after a lorry caught fire on the M6 at what would normally be one of the busiest junctions in Lancashire.

Traffic was stopped on the southbound carriageway of the M6 close to junction 32 for Broughton/Blackpool/Preston, after the HGV set alight at around 9.15pm on Saturday.

Highways closed the eastbound link from the M55 to the southbound M6 while emergency services dealt with the incident and recovery transported the vehicle to junction 31A where it was taken off the motorway.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Four fire engines from Fulwood, Preston and Penwortham attended a heavy goods vehicle on fire on the M6 southbound at junction 32.

"Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire."

Fire crews remained at the incident for some time to ensure no pockets of fire had been missed and the flames had not spread to nearby trees and grassland.

The motorway was fully reopened just after midnight.