MOTORISTS were today warned to avoid the M65 at Whitebirk after drivers were hit by motorway mayhem.

Droves of drivers were caught up in long tailbacks yesterday as contractors carried our resurfacing work.

Police were advising westbound Traffic heading into Blackburn to find alternative routes as the work was continuing today.

Traffic tailed back to near Burnley as the motorway was reduced to a single lane on the approach to Whitebirk. Some drivers were stranded for up to an hour.

Motorists heading for Blackburn and Preston were urged to turn off at the Accrington junction and use the A59.

A spokesman said: "The traffic snarl-ups were fairly nasty on the westbound carriageway and there were reports of tailbacks to junction 10 at Burnley Barracks.

"We would urge people to find alternative routes."

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