The chaos started with a two-car accident on Moor Road, close to Southlands High School, which brought motorists driving out of Chorley to a halt.

The police were called after the two drivers began arguing at the scene.

Minutes later, an elderly gentleman suffered minor injuries when his red van overturned just yards away, on New Road leading to Coppull.

Police closed the road off while they investigated the accident and the man was taken to hospital with lacerations and bruises.

The first incident happened just before 4.30pm yesterday and involved a black Audi and a green Volkswagon Golf GTI.

The crash happened right outside pub Sams Too and one eyewitness described hearing a loud bang.

The woman said: "We heard the collision from inside the pub and the next thing we knew there was shouting and arguing.

"Nobody was seriously hurt, and there was nothing too violent, but one motorist who stopped to help had to call the police because it got heated."

Part of Moor Road was blocked as a tow-truck was called to remove the badly damaged Audi.

Then as the tailbacks cleared, the police, fire service and ambulance service were called to another two-car smash less than 500 yards down the road, close to Birkacre Nursery on New Road.

The road was blocked off in both directions as traffic built up from Chorley and Coppull.

A shaken female eyewitness who was following the car which flipped over said: "I thought the driver was going to turn down Birkacre Road, but the next thing I knew the car was on its side.

"I'm not sure if he lost control, but at least he is okay and not seriously hurt."

An officer at the scene said: "It was a two-car road traffic collision and a red van being driven by and elderly gentleman towards Coppull has ended up on its side.

"The airbags have deployed and he has escaped with minor injuries, cuts, lacerations and bruises.

"He has remained conscious and is being taken to hospital."