Two crashes in close proximity to each other are causing long delays on the motorways this morning.

One lane is closed on the M6 northbound at junction 31 (A59 Preston New Road) due to a crash first reported shortly after 5am this morning (February 14).

This is causing tailbacks down the M6 to the junction with the M61, where there was another crash at around 7.10am - this has now been moved onto the hard shoulder.

A demonstration outside BAE Systems is also causing heavy traffic on the A59 between Samlesbury and Mellor Brook, and on the A667 between Samlesbury and Blackburn.

LIVE UPDATES: Crashes on M6 and M61 cause queues on surrounding roads

Lancashire Telegraph: Current traffic conditionsCurrent traffic conditions (Image: The AA)

A spokesperson for AA Traffic said: "One lane is closed on M6 northbound at J31 A59 Preston New Road (Samlesbury). Lane one (of four) is closed. Traffic is coping well.

"Queueing traffic due to crash, now on the shoulder, on M61 northbound from J9 M65 J2 (Clayton Brook) to M6 J30. Delays not helped by earlier incident at M6 J31."

National Highways says disruption around the M61 incident is expected to clear by 8am, with delays currently sitting at around 15 minutes against usual traffic.

Delays are expected on the M6 northbound at J31 until around 11.30am.