TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill as a woman threatened to jump from an M65 bridge, police said.

The woman in her 20s was threatening to jump from a bridge close to junction seven at Accrington for almost two two hours last night. 

The motorway had to be closed between junction six eastbound and junction eight westbound at around 7.20pm as police negotiated with her to come down.

The woman voluntarily made her way down from the bridge at about 9.10pm and was taken to hospital in Lancaster by ambulance. 

Police opened the motorway shortly later at around 9.15pm.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 7.20pm last night to a concern for safety report.

"The report was concerned about a woman who was later located on the motrway bridge close to junction seven at Accrington.

"A woman in her 20s was threatening to jump from the bridge.

"A road block was put in place between junction six Eastbound and junction eight Westbound.

"Police managed to get the woman to make her own way down from the bridge voluntarily at 9.10pm.

"She was taken to hospital in Lancaster by ambulance.

"The motorway was re-opened shortly later at around 9.15pm."