MOTORISTS caught in the 15-mile tailbacks because of a crash on the M6 were today criticised by police who spent more than 12 hours in the battle to clear thousands of gallons of petrol from the road.

Officers who joined fire and emergency crews after a petrol tanker and two cars crashed on the northbound carriageway near Broughton, Preston, described how some drivers were performing U-turns on the carriageway and parking on the hard shoulder in a bid to escape the delays.

The road was closed following the crash just before 11am on Saturday and did not reopen until after 11pm.

At the height of delays, tailbacks stretched as far as Wigan northbound and to the motorway services at Forton on the southbound carriageway.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "Some motorists were causing further problems on the M61 where it joins the M6 at junction 30 by performing U-turns on the carriageway.

"This is not only illegal but extremely dangerous.

"Some motorists also caused difficulties for emergency services trying to get to the scene by parking on the hard shoulder." Police closed the southbound carriageway between junctions 29 and 32, Bamber Bridge and Broughton, and northbound between 31 and 32, Broughton and Samlesbury and parts of the M55 were also cut off.

Preston town centre was described as "horrendous" and many roads became gridlocked as motorists attempted to find alternative routes.

Among those affected by the chaos were football fans travelling to games at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Preston North End.

Officials at Preston's Deepdale ground postponed kick-off for an hour as it became clear many fans would not arrive for the game against Gillingham, but matches at Blackburn and Manchester City were not delayed.

No one was injured in the crash.

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