POLICE closed a section of the M65 earlier this evening after a man threatened to jump from a motorway bridge.

Traffic ground to a halt between junctions four and five eastbound, for Blackburn (South) and Shadsworth, at around 10.30pm.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "It was a male threatening to jump from a bridge, but the incident has now come to a safe conclusion."

Traffic England said the eastbound entry slip road at junction four had been closed by police and was not expected to reopen until around 12.15am.

Update: The motorway was reopened by police at around 11.30pm.

The man, in his mid-30s, was taken to hospital for assessment by officers.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency tweeted to say thank you to motorists for their patience.