A RUSH hour smash on the A56 Edenfield bypass earlier this evening has caused traffic chaos.

Two lanes were closed following the accident northbound between the junctions with the M66 and the A681 at around 5.35pm.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said three cars were involved in the crash, although further details on the vehicles were not available.

Police, the ambulance service and the Highways Agency were all called to the scene.

It was not immediately known whether anybody was seriously hurt.

One lane was later opened, with traffic reportedly queuing down the M66 past Bury.

Recovery vehicles were called to remove the three cars, with the second land re-opened at around 7.05pm.

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said one woman was treated for back pain at the scene.