A MAN was injured when the car he was driving smashed into a barrier on the M65 and then careered across all three lanes.

The man was the only occupant of the Toyota Corolla and sustained minor injuries in the accident last night.

An ambulance was called to the scene, on the eastbound carriageway of the M65 where it meets the M6, at 6.30pm.

The side of the car was ripped off and the driver was removed from the vehicle by firefighters from Bamber Bridge Fire Station.

He was taken by ambulance to the Chorley and District Hospital.

A fire service spokesman said: "Luckily he was wearing a seat belt and it probably saved his life."

No other vehicles were involved.