A 24-year-old man who died on the motorway fell from a bridge before he was hit by several vehicles, an inquest has heard.

Ellis Redfern, from Farnworth, fell from a bridge on the edge of the town last Friday.

At Bolton Coroner's Court this week an inquest has heard how he was hit by several vehicles on the southbound side towards the M60.

The Police Coroner's Officer Andrew Pickles told the area coroner Professor Dr Alan Walsh there was some suggestion he "jumped".

Mr Pickles said: "It appears a male jumped from the bridge before he was hit by several vehicles."

Professor Dr Walsh asked for reports from the NHS, the police and other services before adjourning the inquest until next year.

Previously there were tributes from family and friends ahead of a charity football match on St James's Playing Fields on Saturday.

A GoFundMe for Mr Redfern said: "Ellis was always the clown of the class. He made people laugh and he was always laughing.

"Ellis was always the light of every room he walked in and he made every situation brighter. Now he'll be the brightest in the sky."

The GoFundMe for Mr Redfern is on more than £2,000.

For information go to www.gofundme.com/f/ellis-redfern.

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Call 116 123 (this number is free to call and will not appear on your phone bill), 01204 521200 or email jo@samaritans.org

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.