A MOTORIST had a lucky escape after his car caught fire on the M61 outside Horwich.

The fire started in the engine compartment of his D-registered Montego

as he was travelling North towards Chorley.

After swerving on to the hard shoulder, the car hit the central reservation.

The man who sustained burns to one of his arms was taken to Chorley Hospital but released after treatment.

The incident happened at 3.20 this morning between the Horwich and Chorley junctions on the M61 motorway.

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