POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorway crash in Bury on Christmas Day claimed two lives.

The crash occurred shortly after 7.10am when a red Mazda Xedos collided with a lamp post on the exit slip road at junction 3 of the M66 northbound at Pilsworth.

The front seat passenger died at the scene. He has been named as Brian Nyoni (25), from Birmingham.

The 27-year-old male driver Musbo Mpofu, from Heywood, suffered serious injuries, and died later in hospital.

Two other passengers, a 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, also from Heywood, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Fairfield Hospital for treatment.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the police motorway unit on 0161 856 8361