It has been confirmed a man shot by police on the M6 near Wigan, Greater Manchester, was carrying a ballbearing gun.

A senior police officer from Cheshire Constabulary has been appointed to investigate the shooting, which closed the motorway and brought traffic chaos.

Police said they opened fire on the man in the early hours of Monday after he threatened them with what they believed was a gun.

The shooting happened at 0320 BST on Monday, after Merseyside Police followed a man from St Helens onto the M6, where his car hit a safety barrier.

Search concluded

Nicola Williams from the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) said: "A full report will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, in the normal way, and to the forces concerned."

The senior investigating officer has since been named as Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hamilton.

The victim was taken to hospital with leg wounds.

They are not believed to be life threatening.

The normally full road was left empty

Police say there was a period of negotiation with the man before he was shot.

The PCA said officers at the scene had conducted a search of the area for forensic evidence.

Ms Williams told BBC News Online: "It is actually a ballbearing gun, which looks like a firearm from a distance.

"My inquiry will look at all the incidents surrounding this."

Safety fears

Grahame Barker, Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, said: "The man got out of his car and threatened officers with what was believed to be a firearm.

"The man was challenged by officers to put the weapon down.

"Officers from Lancashire Constabulary contained the scene whilst armed response officers from Merseyside tried to negotiate with the man.

"The incident escalated and officers, unable to persuade the man to put the weapon down and fearing for their safety, discharged their weapons."