A 12-year-old girl has died in a hit-and-run on a motorway.

Lancashire Police named the victim, who died at the scene on the M61, as Sana Patel, of Blackburn.

She was a passenger in a Nissan Qashqai, which was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Corsa on Saturday at around 10.45pm.

The crash occurred on the northbound carriageway between junction eight and Bolton West/Rivington services.

Lancashire Police said five other people in the Qashqai suffered minor injuries, while those in the Corsa fled the scene on foot.

Supterintendent Andy Cribbin urged them "to search their conscience and do the right thing" by contacting police.

Efforts are now being made to try to track down the people who were in the Corsa, which is registered to an address in West Yorkshire.

Supt Cribbin said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and friends of the girl, Sana.

"There are no words to describe what they will be going through and we send them our deepest condolences at this incredibly difficult time.

"They are currently being supported by specialist officers."

He added: "A 12-year-old girl has tragically lost her life so we would urge them to search their conscience and do the right thing by contacting us.

"We are also asking anybody who saw the collision, or saw either vehicle in the moments before it happened, to get in touch with us as soon as possible."

The M61 was closed in both directions between junctions six and eight while collision investigators attended the scene.

It reopened on Sunday at around 9am.