A TEAM of jambusters are to take to the motorways around Bolton to keep them running smoothly.

Uniformed traffic officers in marked cars will take charge of lane closures and recovering vehicles to leave police free to tackle crime.

The officers will also assist drivers who break down.

Among the new recruits is Richard Bateman, aged 41, from Bradshaw, who becomes a traffic officer after serving with the Metropolitan Police.

He said: "We are not here to replace the police but will free them up to concentrate on other matters.

"The motorway can be a daunting place for people who break down and we hope to get them moved to safety as quickly as possible."

One of the seven patrols which will begin tackling traffic in Greater Manchester from January 25, will be dedicated to the M61 and its junction with the M60, identified as one of the regions accident hot-spots.

Greater Manchester is only the second area in the North-west which has seen the introduction of civilian traffic officers, along with Cheshire, but they will soon be visible on motorways in Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire.