Long delays as M6 closed after woman found dead

The M6 was closed for several hours after a woman's body was found, police have said.

Both carriageways of the motorway were shut between junctions 23 at Haydock and 26 at Orrell, near Wigan, from shortly after 08:00 GMT, causing miles of tailbacks.

Greater Manchester Police said it was called following concerns for a woman's welfare on Downall Green Road in Wigan at about 07:42 GMT. Her body was later found.

National Highways North West said both carriageways of the motorway were opened by late afternoon/early evening.

The agency said there were delays of about 60 minutes on the approach to the northbound closure, with five miles of congestion.

Southbound, it said there were 30-minute delays, with four miles of jams.

GMP has appealed for witnesses to the original incident.

A spokesman said: "This includes anyone who witnessed the incident itself, that may have collided with something in the carriageway at this location, or has dashcam / CCTV footage of the incident."

He added: "Sadly, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene and enquiries are on-going. Formal identification is yet to take place, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.