A 12-car smash has caused Boxing Day traffic chaos on the county's busiest motorway.
Earlier this afternoon, a multi-car crash closed two lanes on the M6 northbound between junctions 26 and 27 for Wigan.
Emergency services were sent to the scene of the incident, which caused around 40 minutes of delays and three miles of congestion.
It is believed a freak hail storm caused some motorists to lose control, with National Highways reporting an accident on the southbound carriageway too, involving three vehicles.
A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Lanes one and two are CLOSED on the M6 northbound between J26 M58 and J27 Wigan due to a multi-vehicle collision.
"Emergency services are on scene.
"There are currently delays of 41 mins and approximately three miles of congestion.
"Appears a hail shower is moving across the region.
"We now have two lanes closed on the M6 N/B J26 - J27 for a 12 car damage only RTC.
"There are also three vehicles that have lost control on the SB on the same section closing lanes three and two. Expect delays."
