A MOTORIST died after his car smashed into the central reservation on the A56 at Haslingden.

The red Landrover Freelander was the only vehicle involved in the crash at 3.15am on Sunday near the Tesco supermarket junction, police said.

The driver is awaiting formal identification so officers have not yet released any details about him. His family have been informed.

An eye witness has been traced and is assisting the police with their inquiries.

Police closed the road between the A56 at Rising Bridge and the A682 split towards the Woolpack Island in Haslingden until noon on Sunday while an investigation was carried out.