A MAN has died after being hit by a car on the M6 in Lancashire this morning.

A man in his early 30s from the Chorley area was walking on the inside lane when he was hit by a silver Ford Focus.

The southbound carriageway between junction 30 and junction 29 - where the M6 meets the M65 - was closed from 3.50am.

Police said they are investigating why the man was on the carriageway.

No other vehicles were involved.

Accident investigators have been at the scene with Highways officers and the motorway re-opened at 9am.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Diversions were put in place for several hours.

A police spokesman said: “An investigation has been launched into the circumstances and we are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

“Although the motorway will have been rather quiet at that early time in the morning, if you were in the area at the time and saw something but have not yet contacted police then I would urge you to do so by calling us on 101.”