A 78-year-old man has been arrested after sparking a major police hunt while driving the wrong way on a motorway in the north of England - for more than 40 miles.

Police received reports on Saturday of the car driving the wrong way down the M6 motorway from junction 34 at Lancaster.

The motor was only brought to a halt 44 miles away at junction 27 for Standish, near Wigan, after a stinger was deployed.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said it took two tactical operations teams, a firearms unit and officers from a neighbouring force to help stop the driver.

The elderly motorist, from Truro, Cornwall has been arrested and his driving licence has been revoked and his car seized.

A spokesman for the force said the vehicle was reported travelling the wrong way on the M6 from Jct 34.

They added: "Patrols intercepted at junction 33 but it avoided tactical contact.

"Stinger was deployed at junction 28 and then junction 27 finally bringing the car to a halt. A 78-year-old male from Truro has been arrested."

The motorist has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward and contact them by emailing 1836@lancashire.police.uk.