THE M65 had to be closed this morning after a car crashed into the central reservation.

The incident happened between junctions 11 and 12 on the Eastbound carriageway at around 5.30am near Burnley and saw a Skoda Octavia smash into the central reservation.

The motorway had to be closed for 15 minutes by police.

Firefighters from Burnley and Nelson attended the scene.

Steve Ward, crew manager at Burnley fire station, said a man was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

He said: "A crew from Burnley and one from Nelson attended a road traffic collision on the M65 Eastbound between junction 11 and junction 12 near Burnley at around 5.30am.

"A silver Skoda Octavia had smashed into the central reservation due to the sleety conditions.

"The motorway was closed for 15 minutes.

"A man had managed to free themselves from the car prior to firefighters arriving at the scene.

"He was treated by paramedics at the scene and firefighters assisted in making the scene safe.

"The man was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

"Firefighters were in attendance for around 30 minutes."

Mr Ward warned motorists to be drive carefully.

He added: "There is a lot of sleet out there and drivers should be mindful of this."

Forecasters have issued a weather warning for snow and ice in the North West.

The yellow warning issued by the Met Office will be in place until 10am today and covers parts of East Lancashire including Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley.

Icy patches and wintry showers are expected which could cause travel disruption.