MORNING rush-hour traffic was thrown into chaos on Monday (Jan 26) when a heavy goods vehicle became stuck while attempting a U-turn.

Police officers were forced to close both carriageways of Bury New Road, Whitefield, after the lorry came to a halt near the junction with Well Lane at 7.15am.

Huge traffic queues built up and motorists had to follow diversions. A large recovery vehicle eventually freed the lorry.

Sergeant John Jamieson, of Bury Police traffic unit, said: "The driver of the heavy goods wagon had come off the motorway early and did a U-turn so he could go back on to it.

"He went on to a grass verge and the nearside wheels got stuck in very soft ground. The tyres couldn't get any grip. The vehicle was actually in a jack-knife position which effectively blocked both carriageways."

A police Range Rover and a Mercedes had earlier tried to haul the wagon off the verge.

Sgt Jamieson added: "We had to divert traffic away from the area. The road was cleared at 9.15am.".

The wagon driver was spoken to by the police following the incident.