Police were forced to close part of a motorway for more than two hours on Bank Holiday Monday.

At around 9pm, officers stopped traffic on the eastbound carriageway of the M65 close to junction 10.

They were then forced closed the motorway completely between junctions 10 and 11, in both directions, due to a 'police incident'.

A spokesperson for the police said: "The M65 eastbound at J10 (Burnley/Padiham/A671) traffic has been temporarily stopped due to a police incident.

"Lancashire Road Police and Traffic Officers are currently at the scene."

At around 10.20pm, Highways England tweeted: "The M65 in both directions between J10 (Burnley/Padiham/A671) and J11 (Burnley) is currently closed due to a police incident. 

"There are currently slight delays in both directions on the approach to this closure."

Motorists were asked to follow diversions while the incident was dealt with.

By 11.30pm, the closures had been lifted and traffic was able to flow freely along the M65.

It is believed the police were called to a 'concern for safety' incident.