*UPDATE: The road has now reopened*

An East Lancashire road is closed after a crash this afternoon (February 13).

The A56 is currently closed at Rising Bridge southbound from the A682 (Bent Gate Roundabout) to M66 (Ramsbottom Junction).

Police have urged motorists to find an alterative route until the incident clears.

According to police, the incident was first reported at around 12.30pm.

The crash involved two vehicles with minor injuries reported.

Traffic is slow moving, at around 5mph, and there are currently delays of around nine minutes.

A police spokesperson said: “The A56 is currently closed at Rising Bridge southbound due to a road traffic collision.

“The traffic is currently queuing back to the roundabout. Please find an alternative route and we will update as soon as possible.

"It was a minor injury collision involving two vehicles. The call came into us at 12.29pm."

A spokesperson for the AA said: “The road is blocked and there is queueing traffic due to crash on A56 Southbound from A682 (Bent Gate Roundabout) to M66 (Ramsbottom Junction). Congestion to Haslingden.

“There are delays of nine minutes and delays easing on A56 Southbound between A56 and A680 Manchester Road (Bent Gate Roundabout). Average speed five mph.”

A fire service spokesperson said: "At 12.54pm on February 13, two fire engines from Burnley and Bacup attended a road traffic collision on the A56 in Rawtenstall. 

"Firefighters used Holmatro cutting equipment and a trauma pack to release two casualties from their vehicles.

"The casualties were then conveyed to the hospital by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedics. Firefighters were at the incident for approximately an hour and ten minutes."