FREEZING fog and black ice brought chaos across East Lancashire today as dozens of motorists were involved in crashes on the area's roads.

Electronic signs on the M65 warned motorists to cut their speed to 20mph earlier today but a police spokesman said they were continuing to drive far too fast for the treacherous road conditions.

Several accidents, including a jack-knifed lorry, were reported on the motorway between between Bamber Bridge and Earcroft and at its junction with the M61.

At least two cars were involved in a collision on the A56 at Haslingden due to icy roads at about 7am. A lorry crashed on to a sewerage tank on Lower Eccleshill Road, Blackburn, causing severe delays, and minor crashes were reported on Buncer Lane and Spring Lane.

A child was knocked down on Stancliffe Street, Blackburn, but not seriously injured, and five cars slid off the Grane Road in icy conditions.

A police spokesman said 999 operators had received dozens of calls about crashes in the area but no-one was thought to be seriously injured.

Motorists were also delayed last night after a sudden hailstorm led to a 19 car pile-up on the M61 near Bamber Bridge, which closed the motorway for more than three hours.

The Grane Road from Haslingden to Guide was closed for more than three hours after a lorry and a van were in a head-on collision at 4pm near the Grey Mare pub only minutes before a car slid off the road in a separate incident close to the Belthorn turnoff.

No-one was hurt but the police blocked the road while waiting for gritters to arrive. The extra traffic on the M65 led to mile-long queues to turn off at the A56/M66 junction.

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