POLICE have urged motorists to take care on the roads following 'a large number of accidents'.

The A56 was closed shortly after 8am for more than five hours following a crash involving three vehicles yesterday.

A police spokesman said: “The road was shut this morning after one of the vehicles collided with a tree.

“The accident was not serious.”

Highways England advised road users to consider alternative routes and to allow extra time for their journeys.

The northbound carriageway remained closed between Rising Bridge Roundabout in Blackburn Road, Accrington and junction eight of the M65 until 1.30pm

The southbound carriageway was re-opened shortly before 10.30am.

This was followed by an incident on the M65 westbound at around 9am

A vehicle skidded off the road between junctions 6 and 5 due to the rain.

A spokesman for Lancashire Road Police said no one was injured in the accident but urged motorists to be mindful of the weather conditions when driving.

The spokesman said: “We have had a large number of Road Traffic Collisions coming in across the region.

“We can not stress enough, sensible driving people in these treacherous conditions.

“Drive safely and drive to the conditions.”