Thousands of drivers were caught up in M62 chaos.

They were trapped in 10-mile traffic jams after a series of problems hit the busy motorway yesterday.

Two lanes had to be closed near Ainley Top, Huddersfield, after heavy coils of steel wire slipped from the back of a lorry.

And there were added problems with two crashes near Chain Bar and Brighouse later in the afternoon, adding to the chaos already caused by the lorry.

Police and Highways Agency staff reported no injuries in any of the incidents but warned that many drivers faced at least an hour’s delay to their journey.

By 5pm last night, all lanes on the M62 had been re-opened but there were still massive queues – some of them stretching back from Ainley Top to Tingley, at Leeds.

The problems began late yesterday morning when a lorry driver on the westbound carriageway noticed problems with his load of coiled steel wire.

He realised the load was slipping on the back of his trailer and pulled on to the hard shoulder between Junction 25 at Brighouse and Junction 24 at Ainley Top.

It was just before 11am that three huge coils of steel moved on the back of his lorry.

One was dangerously close to falling off and police closed two lanes westbound between Brighouse and Ainley Top, causing congestion.

Highways chiefs reveal M62 speed cameras ARE working when signs are off after 'underhand' tactics claim from top lawyer 'Mr Loophole': click here to read

The lanes remained closed as a large crane was called in to lift the coils back into position.

Delays were also reported at Hartshead Moor service station and the eastbound carriageway as drivers slowed to watch proceedings.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “We are talking about a very heavy load and there were concerns one or all of the coils of cable could fall on to the motorway.”

West Yorkshire Police reported problems near Chain Bar.

Four cars were involved in a collision on the eastbound carriageway just after 4pm and although no-one was hurt, one lane was closed.

There was also a crash on the westbound carriageway near Chain Bar (Jct 26), when a lorry clipped the rear of a car. Neither driver was hurt but a lane was closed.