POLICE were today hunting a suspected drugs courier after he abandoned a car containing packets of powder on the motorway.

The incident initially prompted officers to call out the bomb squad to examine the white G-registered Ford Fiesta, which was left on the nearside lane of the M65 between Burnley and Brierfield at about 8pm yesterday.

Both carriageways were closed until around 8am today and motorists were caught up in heavy Traffic jams.

The packets of powder, which were initially thought to be explosives, were today being examined by forensic experts to find out what they contained but police believe it could be a major haul of drugs. The scare began when police at the Lancashire Constabulary headquarters at Hutton received a call from someone apparently trying to report a breakdown on the motorway.

When he realised he was through to police HQ, the caller cut short the conservation and fled the scene. Police arrived to find the car in the centre of the nearside lane on a two lane stretch of the road, near to a footbridge over the motorway linking the Lower Manor Lane estate to Springwood Farm, Burnley.

The occupants of the farm were evacuated but were back early today. They did not want to talk about the incident.

An Army bomb disposal squad was at the scene all night and gave the all clear at about 7am.

Extensive inquiries are now being carried out to trace the driver.

Traffic was diverted on to the main road between Burnley and Colne. Burnley centre, Nelson centre and the North Valley Road area of Colne were badly hit. Barden Lane and Greenhead Lane between Burnley and the Padiham by-pass were also closed for a time. The westbound carriageway was re-opened at about 7.30am. The car was driven away by police at 8.20am and the road opened.