A PENSIONER died at the wheel of his car while driving along the M65 this afternoon.

Police said a small red hatchback veered off the westbound carriageway and into the hard shoulder, between junction three Riley Green and junction two Clayton Brook, around 3.15pm.

Witnesses said the car came to a rest at the verge and the man, believed to be around 70-years-old, was seen slumped at the wheel.

Highways officers attempted to give the man CPR at the scene before an ambulance arrived.

Paramedics took the lone driver to Royal Preston Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The first lane of two was closed and traffic delays were reported for over an hour.