THREE people have been taken to hospital after a crash involving a car and a lorry on the M61.

Emergency services were called to the crash, between junctions 1 and 2 on the motorway's northbound carriageway, at about 3.10pm.

A girl in her mid-teens, who was travelling in the car, has suffered serious injuries, although police say they are not believed to be life-threatening.

Two others, who were also in the car, have also been taken to hospital with injuries.

Firefighters helped to cut one of the casualties free from the Fiat by removing the vehicle's roof and doors.

An entry slip road from the A580 to junction 1 remains closed while investigations are carried out, causing major problems on the roads.

A motorist caught in the tailbacks in the area said: "The traffic is backed up all the way back to Manchester. It looks like I am not going to get home any time soon."

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 3.11pm and sent a HART along with three ambulances, a rapid response vehicles, advance paramedics and an operational commander.

"Three people have gone to hospital. One is a female in her late teens who has got a facial injury.

"Another is a female patient in her mid teens who has suffered serious injuries."