A VAN has been completely destroyed after crashing through the hard shoulder barrier on a motorway.

The collision happened on the westbound carriageway of the M62, near junction 20 (Thornham Interchange).

It is believed to involve the van and a car and the crash was first reported at 9.39am according to the AA.

Pictures sent to the T&A by a motorist stuck in the traffic show a van stuck on the grass verge beyond the hard shoulder of the motorway.

The container of the van has been ripped open and debris is littered everywhere.

The barrier at the side of the motorway also looks to have been damaged.

The hard shoulder and first lane were closed while the crash is being dealt with.

This was causing severe delays of 20 minutes, between junction 19 (Heywood) and junction 22 (Rishworth Moor), with cars travelling at an average speed of 15mph.