M6 closed after dog runs loose on motorway

The dog is safe and well while police try and find its owners

A motorway had to be closed while police captured a loose dog running on the carriageway ten miles from its home.

Lancashire Police confirmed they had closed the M6 northbound between junctions 29 and 31 at about 10:20 GMT, to protect the black and white dog, called Harry, from traffic.

Shortly after, the force confirmed the dog, which they had named Houdini, was safe after its "Monday morning leg stretch".

"We're willing to overlook offences for failing to stop on this one occasion," police said on Facebook.

"We stop traffic in situations like this to avoid a road traffic accident and we thank the public for their patience whilst we ensured this was a happy outcome for all involved," they said.

They later located the Harry's owners and he was taken home to put "his paws up in front of the fire" because "he was a bit chilly after having the wind in his ears all morning".