A motorist has been arrested after he allegedly tested positive for cannabis while driving on the M65.

The 40-year-old man, who was driving an HGV tractor, was pulled over close to junction nine at Hapton at around 1.15pm on Tuesday, January 17.

He tested positive for cannabis and was arrested at the roadside on suspicion of drug driving, Lancashire Police said.

The motorist, from County Down, wasn’t the only one to be stopped by officers, who have received “multiple reports” of drink and drug driving in the last 24 hours.

One call came in at around 9.45pm, reporting a strong smell of cannabis coming from a Nissan Micra on Progress Way, Blackpool.

The vehicle was stopped a short time later heading southbound on the M6.

The driver, a 27-year-old man from Manchester, tested positive at the roadside for cannabis and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

Another call came in at around 2.50am today (Wednesday, January 18), relating to a Vauxhall Corsa on the M55.

The vehicle had been seen veering between two lanes so was located and pulled over at around 3.15am on Jenny Lane in Blackpool.

The driver, a 19-year-old man from Preston, tested positive for cannabis and was arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

All three men have since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Inspector Rob Conolly-Perch, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “All three of these vehicles were potentially accidents waiting to happen. We will not stand for innocent road users being put in danger and we take all reports of drink and drug driving extremely seriously.

“While we don’t condone the use of drugs, we want to stress that if you do, they can stay in your system far longer than you may think, and you can still be over the limit several days later. The consequences are never, ever worth it, so if you plan to drive, please do not risk it.

“Finally, our thanks go to the people who reported these vehicles to us. Please keep telling us when you suspect someone of drink or drug-driving because – as this shows – we will act on the information.”

You can report suspected drink or drug driving by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also report it online here.