A lorry carrying 22 TONNES of ketchup has crashed on the East Lancs Road and hurled its load across the carriageway.

The busy A580 route is closed westbound following the collision, near Astley in Wigan, in the early hours of Thursday.

Commuters travelling from Manchester towards St Helens and Liverpool have be warned of long delays and diversions.

Police say the overturned HGV has been righted, but the westbound carriageway is still covered in red sauce and must been cleared before the road can safely reopen.

It's not yet known when the route will return to normal.