PART of a motorway was closed for more than two hours today after a woman climbed on to a bridge and threatened to jump on to the carriageway.

Pennine police were called to the scene at 5am after receiving reports that the woman was standing on a bridge overlooking junction 13 of the M65 at Nelson.

The road was closed in both directions at 5.28am and an expert was called in by police to try to talk the woman down.

Traffic was diverted off the motorway in both directions.

A police spokesman said: "We were called just before 5am this morning after reports of a woman standing on a bridge overlooking the main carriageway.

"She was on the wrong side of the parapet and there were fears that she may jump or fall from the bridge."

"The road was closed in both directions as a police negotiator talked to the woman. The road was re-opened shortly before 7.30am."

The woman, who has not been identified, was taken to Burnley General Hospital.