THE M6 was shut this morning after a lorry shed its load.

A HGV has shed its load of hay bales into lanes two and three of the M6 southbound between junction 22 at Winwick and junction 23 at Haydock.

While the motorway was shut for a short time to allow Highways England officers to remove the bales, all lanes reopened at around 11.50am.

Slow traffic is reported in the area following the incident.