Hundreds of motorists travelling eastbound on the M56 motorway faced delays of up to 5 hours today after a Pokรฉmon GO โ€˜Gym Battleโ€™ broke out in the middle lane near Manchester Airport.

Early reports indicate that the driver of a Renault Scenic veered across three lanes before coming to a sudden stop. The driver, with three children in the back, walked out of his car into oncoming traffic holding his phone in the air.

The popular game has caused widespread controversy following its release, as players are required to travel great distances in the real world to move their avatars in the game.

Speaking from Westminster this afternoon, Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: โ€œThis is a shocking incident. I believe the gentleman involved was 45 years old and spent half an hour battling with a 9 year old to takeover a โ€˜Gymโ€™, which happened to be positioned in the middle lane of the M56. May I be the first to call this man a complete quiltโ€.

47 people are said to have missed their flights, and the estimated cost to the taxpayer to clear the tailbacks is likely to reach the hundreds of thousands. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: โ€œThis game is ridiculous. Back in my day, if you wanted to walk around looking for big pink dragons and blue tortoises, youโ€™d just take some acid like a normal personโ€.

It's hilarious

people are actually fighting with Pokemon.

I'm glad I'm a normal adult who isn't playing a game made for 10 year olds.

I'm glad I'm a normal adult who isn't playing a game made for 10 year olds.

ITT I rustled the jimmies of half this site.