FIREFIGHTERS released a woman from a Volkswagen Golf after she swerved to avoid what she thought was a deer on the M65.

Crews were called at 1.45am today after the woman, heading towards Burnley, swerved near the junction six Whitebirk exit and ended up in a ditch.

Sub-officer Phil Whittaker of Darwen Fire Station said: "We removed the side of the car to get her out because the vehicle was upside down and the roof had caved in. She told us she had swerved to avoid a deer on the motorway.

"We discovered she was suffering from minor injuries when we got her out." The woman was taken to Blackburn Infirmary.