A MAN has been taken to hospital after a crash closed the motorway near Pilsworth last night.

A van and two cars collided between junction 2 and 3 of the M66 shortly before 10pm.

The northbound carriageway was closed as firefighters, police and ambulance crews attended the scene.

Three men in a Renualt van and two people in a Golf car were unhurt.

The Golf was not damaged in the incident and the driver move it to the side of the road, but the van did sustain some damage.

A passenger in a large family car was treated at the scene for a suspected fractured ankle and head injuries. The man, believed to be in his late 50s, was taken to hospital.

Fire engines from Blackley, Whitefield and Bury attended and crews helped to clear the van and the other car from the inside lane.

The road was closed for around an hour.