There are long delays on the M62 after a lorry fire that happened earlier this morning.

Just before 4:30am fire crews were called to a lorry fire on the eastbound carriageway between junction 19 at Middleton and junction 20 at Rochdale.

Both junctions were closed off whilst fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.

Three lanes still remain closed, and police and ambulance vehicles are still at the scene.

Highways England said: “The scene is expected to clear between 11:00 and 11:15.

“Normal traffic conditions are expected between 12:00 and 12:15 on 26 July 2022.

“There are currently delays of 50 minutes against expected traffic.”

People are asked to plan their journeys.

Watch manager at Whitefield Fire Station said: “We were called to a lorry fire on the M62 Eastbound at around 4:30am.

“The highways and police are still at the scene and the contractors are trying to get the lorry moved as quickly as possible.

“The incident has been dealt with but clearing the wreckage away from the hard shoulder is still ongoing.

“We were there for around one hour and left at 5:30am and the fire was put out.”

National Highways England tweeted an update saying: "Lanes 1 and 2 (of 3) remain closed on the M62 eastbound between J19 Heywood and J20 Rochdale. 

"Complex vehicle recovery is ongoing. 

"There is approximately nine miles of congestion on approach, causing delays of 45 minutes above usual journey times."