TWO motorists escaped serious injury when their cars were in collision on the M61 near Farnworth.

Rush hour motorists were stuck in traffic for 45 minutes after all southbound lanes were closed following the smash, which happened near junction three around 4.25pm.

The male driver of a Nissan Bluebird, which ended up on its side on the central reservation, suffered minor head injuries and was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital.

But the man driving a Nissan Primera was not badly injured despite his car having spun onto its roof. It came to a stop in the nearside lane.

Firefighters were the first to arrive at the scene of the accident and administered first aid before paramedics arrived.