Multiple crashes on the M65 caused tailbacks of up to seven miles with delays of an hour on Thursday.

The first of the incidents was reported at around 1.30pm, when it was believed debris in the form of pillows and a mattress had been littered across the carriageway close to junction six.

This caused congestion in and around the immediate area on both the westbound and eastbound carriageways.

A spokesperson for the police said: "The M65 has been closed due to pillows and a mattress and other debris in the road.

"Highways are now dealing with this incident."

Not long after, the M65 was closed in both directions due to a crash.

Police confirmed that a stolen Jaguar taken from a house in Padiham had been pursued by police onto the motorway before the driver of the stolen vehicle crashed on the hard shoulder close to junction five westbound.

This resulted in officers closing the motorway, which caused severe congestion on the approach to junction five and junction six, with both Haslingden Road near to Royal Blackburn Hospital and Shadsworth Road being impacted by the incident.

A spokesperson for the police said: "The incident on the M65 close to junction five relates to a collision involving a stolen Jaguar XJ taken from Church Street in Padiham.

"It was being pursued by officers when it was involved in a collision on the hard shoulder.

"Two men were seen running off into nearby woodland and are still being sought by officers.

"It looks like the eastbound carriageway has been reopened but the westbound side remains closed."

Later, not long after the M65 was fully reopened, Highways reported that a further two crashes involving a van and two cars had occurred close to junction three of the motorway; one on the westbound and one on the eastbound carriageway.

These crashes caused miles of tailbacks, and at one point traffic was queueing for almost seven miles, with delays of around 60 minutes.

A spokesperson for Highways England said: "Please be aware this incident is now causing approximately 6.7 miles of congestion on the M65 westbound between junction six and junction three near Blackburn, adding at least 60 minutes to normal journey times.

"You may wish to find alternative routes if travelling in the area."

By 6pm, the congestion had eased somewhat but delays were still being experienced.