AN ambulance and a car were pulled from an embankment next to the M65 following a smash on the motorway.

Both the ambulance and the Honda Accord had been travelling eastbound and were between junction 8 and 9, near Hapton, when the accident happened at around 6.30pm tonight.

Police said there were minor injuries but were unable to give any other details.

One lane of the motorway was closed for a short time while police cleared up.

Julie Treharne, of the ambulance service, said the ambulance involved had been on its way back to Burnley General Hospital after dropping off a patient at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The ambulance service was called at 6.24pm after it was notified that one of its vehicles had been involved in a crash.

The crew were taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital as a precaution and the woman in the Honda Accord was taken to the same hospital with minor injuries.