THE M60 was closed for 11 hours after police were called to a concern for the welfare of a man near the Stockport exit.

A section of the motorway between Junction 25 and Junction 2 was shut in both directions while North West Motorway Police "dealt with the incident".

Police said negotiators were sent to Junction 1 of the motorway and a man was detained under the Mental Health Act.

The motorway has since been reopened.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.55pm on Friday, May 4, to reports of concern for the welfare of a man.

"Traffic was stopped and negotiators were sent to the scene.

"A man was detained under the Mental Health Act."

Highways England tweeted on Saturday, May 5 that the motorway had reopened and delays had cleared.

The motorway was shut clockwise between Junction 26 at Stockport and Junction 2 for Cheadle, and anti-clockwise between Junction 2 and Junction 25 for Bredbury.

Highways England tweeted that the motorway had reopened and delays are starting to clear.

Highways England previously warned those who were heading for Manchester Airport on Saturday, May 5 to allow extra time for their journey.

North West Traffic described the incident on twitter as an "authority operation".

Diversions were put in place between Junction 26 clockwise and Junction 2 anti-clockwise.