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Drivers wondering why the traffic was so foul on the M62 this morning can thank a crashed lorry that spilled dozens of live chickens onto the road.

Birds in crates were flung across the lanes during the smash near Eccles Interchange in the early hours.

The eastbound carriageway has been shut between junction 11 (Birchwood) and junction 12 (M60 Eccles Interchange) since 4.15am, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Lane three of the westbound carriageway has since reopened and vehicles are now moving in that direction, however some traffic still remains.

Emergency services are working to clear the debris from the road.

Diversions are in place, but motorists are facing long delays and have been advised to avoid the area.

The Highways Agency said that the lorry was carrying 6,000 chickens when it crashed, causing several hundred to escape.

Most chickens were rounded up quickly and put back into their cages, however.

(Image: GoogleMaps)

Drivers have been told to take the southbound M6 and eastbound M56 from junction 10 of the M62 at Croft Interchange as queues stretch back as far as junction nine at Winwick.