AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a car collided with a woman's body on the M66.

The motorway was closed northbound between Junction 2 (Bury) and Junction 1 (Ramsbottom, A56) this morning. 

North West Motorway Police and Traffic Officers were both on the scene for a number of hours.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a woman's body was found in the road and said they were investigating into how the body got there.  

A spokesman said: “Investigative work is currently being carried out on the M66 following a collision. 

“Shortly after 2am on Thursday, police were called to reports that a car had collided with a body on the M66 Northbound in Bury. 

“Emergency services attended and sadly found the body of a woman. 

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish how the woman came to be in the carriageway." 

There was also a lane closed on the southbound carriageway to assist with investigation work and there were further diversions at Junction 3 (Radcliffe) on approach to the incident.

The incident caused delays of up to an hour for drivers on Thursday morning.

A driver said: “It’s chaos in Bury. 

"It’s been absolutely manic for this 7 o'clock in a morning.”

Diversions were set up, directing drivers through Rochdale Road, Derby Way, and Wood Lane.

The motorway fully reopened at around 12.30pm.