A COW was shot dead by police firearms officers after it escaped from a trailer and caused chaos on the M60.

The animal was spotted on the clockwise side of the carriageway near to junction 17 at 1.20pm yesterday by passing motorists.

The cow made its way from the motorway on to Bury New Road, Laburnam Road, Ross Avenue and then onto Whitefield Golf Course.

Firearms officers were called in because there was no way of catching the animal or herding it back into a field.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "The golf course was secured before authorisation was given to shoot the animal.

"After it was killed, it was removed to a local abattoir."