An elderly woman has been airlifted to hospital after a crash on the M65.

Police said two saloon cars collided on the westbound carriageway between Junction 12 at Nelson and 13 for Barrowford at 11.30am today.

The westbound carriageway was closed until around 4.30pm while investigations were carried out.

The eastbound lane was closed until around 1.45pm to allow the air ambulance to land.

The woman, 78, was tonight described as being in a serious but stable condition in the Royal Blackburn Hosptial.

The driver of the other car was treated for minor injuries at hospital.

The crash caused severe disruption.

Police said some motorists were turning their vehicles around and trying to drive the wrong way to get off the motorway.