AN OVERTURNED lorry has now been removed and a section of the M62 near Oldham reopened following the clearing of a 'substantial' diesel spill across all lanes.

Traffic was backed up for five miles with hour delays earlier today as recovery work continued into the afternoon.

The stretch eastbound between Junction 21 for Milnrow and Shaw had been shut to Junction 22 for Denshaw since this morning.

All the closures were removed by 5.15pm.

The Oldham Times: Recovery workers prepare to recover the overturned lorry. Picture: PARecovery workers prepare to recover the overturned lorry. Picture: PA

Highways England, in an online update, said a car had also crashed into the central barrier and come to rest in lane four.

It added: "Both incidents have caused large spillages of diesel to spread across the carriageway.

"Traffic officers are on scene with specialist recovery agents."

The Oldham Times: Backed up traffic on the M62 due to an overturned lorry. Picture: PABacked up traffic on the M62 due to an overturned lorry. Picture: PA

It said the closure had been expected to remain 'for some time' due to the 'complex recovery required' and that the carriageway would need to be treated before it could reopen. 

Pictures show recovery team working to clear the scene.

A tweet from Highways England just before midday said there was a 'substantial diesel spillage' across all lanes at the scene.

It added: "We're in the process of organising extra resources to assist in turning around any vehicles stuck inside the closure."