Police closed a motorway near Leeds overnight as they rescued a woman from a bridge.

At about 1am today (Saturday), police received a number of calls raising concerns for a woman on a bridge over the M1.

The woman was on the wrong side of the railings on the bridge, near junction 44 at Rothwell.

The motorway was closed in both directions for a number of hours.

Police negotiators were sent out and the woman was eventually brought to safety at 3.30am.

The M1 reopened shortly after.

Samaritans can be contacted for free 24 hours a day on 116 123 or at [email protected].

Leeds M1 police incident: Police close motorway near Rothwell as emergency services rescue woman from bridge