SNOW causes chaos for motorists journeying in and out of a town during rush hour.

Hazardous driving conditions on the road, due to the snow, led to severe delays, stationary traffic and road closure.

Police were forced to shut the A682 Manchester Road both ways between Limey Lane and Turton Hollow Road, near Love Clough, due to multiple road accidents on the icy roads.

Traffic was being diverted through Accrington and some motorists spent around 90 minutes driving through the A59 Accrington bypass because of the conditions, a police spokesman said.

Ribble Valley Police have closed Sabden Road at Clitheroe between the A59 and Sabden due to a collision and extremely poor weather conditions.

Highways were en route with a snow plough to assist.

Police have cautioned people to avoid the area and follow the diversions in place.

A road closure has also been put in place on the A671 in Bacup due to the weather conditions whilst the police wait for gritters and highways to attend. 

The adverse weather was also affecting roads around the Burnley and Nelson area.

Cllr Mohammad Ayub, who lives on Willows Lane, Accrington, said: "It took almost three hours for one of my friends to travel from Accrington to Halifax.

"It's only a 25 mile journey.

"The weather has been the cause of the added journey time."

Cllr Terry Hurn, who also lives in Accrington, said: "It's chaotic.

"Manchester Road traffic are queuing back from the town centre to the Rising Bridge.

"Everything is being diverted through Accrington which is causing all this traffic.

"The snow has hit at the worst possible time too - at tea time.

"I have not seen the gritters out but I know they have been operating today."