A 'DANGEROUS' driver crashed after driving in the wrong direction along a motorway.

Emergency services were called to the M66, near Pilsworth, at about 10pm last night after the lost control of the silver Vauxhall Astra and hit a barrier.

The driver had initially crashed the car while travelling northbound on the M66, near Junction 1.

He then span the car and headed the wrong way down the motorway, eventually crashing into a barrier between Junctions 3 and 4.

Bury mum-of-four forced to swerve to avoid head-on collision with car heading wrong way up M66

Fire crews raced to the scene but the driver did not need to be cut from the vehicle. They then helped to stabilise the car and make the area safe for other motorist.

Crew Manager James Chadderton said: "It was very dangerous, what he has done, it was very lucky for him and everyone else on the road that it wasn't more serious. He was going the wrong way for at least a mile."

Police arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. He remains in custody.