A HUGE lorry fire on the M62 is causing havoc with traffic.

The blaze is on the westbound carriageway of the motorway, between junction 22 (Denshaw) and 21 (Milnrow).

It was first reported at around 10.22am, according to the AA's traffic page.

Firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service rushed to the scene to try and tackle the blaze.

Footage shows a large fireball which completely consumed the HGV.

A photo from further away showed thick, dark plumes of smoke rising into the air above the blaze.

Both carriageways are closed.

There was around a mile of traffic between the junction 22 slip-road and the fire itself (on the westbound carriageway).

Highways England Officers started to release the congestion and turned cars around in this section at about 12.50pm.

The traffic was released at around 3.11pm, almost two-and-a-half hours later.

It was estimated that it would take two hours to fully complete.

Traffic Officers are also in place on the westbound carriageway before junction 22.

They are helping those in a stand still beyond that point to get off at the junction.

A Highways England spokesperson said: "Please remain with your vehicle, and thank you for your patience."