A DRIVER has escaped unhurt after his van flipped onto its side in a rush-hour road smash.

The man, who is in his 30s, was driving a van with Sky TV livery when it crashed and came to rest on its side on the northbound M66 near junction 2 for Bury at 7.35am.

The crash blocked the two outside lanes and lead to long delays towards Lancashire.

Police were called to the scene and managed to move the van and debris from the crash onto the hard shoulder and all lanes were reopen by 8.45am.

The driver was shaken but otherwise unhurt and was seen by paramedics at the scene, a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said.