A VAN fire caused tailbacks on the M65 near Blackburn this morning.

Police and fire crews were alerted to the incident on the eastbound carriageway at junction 5, at around 7.10am.

The engine of the van had set alight and the driver was able to get the vehicle onto the slip road.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "It appears that the van has caught fire while being driven and has been steered onto the slip road.

"It appears to have been due to an engine fault and flames were seen coming from under the bonnet.

"The fire spread to the engine and part of the passenger compartment but no-one was injured."

Police put in a small rolling road-block diverting traffic while fire crews from Darwen and Accrington attended the incident.