EMERGENCY services have rushed to close off the junction 4 slip road of the M65 after a dangerous gas leak was found.

Blackburn Road was closed to traffic from the Junction of Holins Road towards Darwen causing traffic to build up around the area.

Around 20 homes have been evacuated near the first report of a leak, near the St Alban's Guest House.

Three schools in the area are keeping many of their children indoors until the situation is resolved.

For more details on this breaking story pick-up a copy of tomorrow's Lancashire Evening Telegraph... or return to thisislancashire.