A VANDAL slashed tyres on up to 20 cars in a wrecking spree in Astley Bridge.

Disgruntled residents in Moss Bank Way woke on Wednesday morning to discover the damage to the vehicles which were parked near the junction with Sharples Park.

Police have confirmed that damage to 10 vehicles has been reported to them but neighbours suggest the figure is nearer to 20.

Furious families getting up for work were left stranded as they waited for breakdown recovery firms to arrive to fix the damage.

The culprit walked up Moss Bank Way and punctured the two tyres nearest the curb on a string of vehicles.

An investigation has been launched to find him after he was captured on CCTV. Officers say is about 5ft 4in tall, and was wearing a dark hooded top and dark trousers when he damaged the tyres.

Mohammed Musa had two cars targeted by the vandal, and said he initially worried his family were being targeted in a vendetta.

The 30-year-old, who lives in Moss Bank Way with his family, said: "It was such a strange morning. I woke up to go to work as normal and saw two of my cars had had tyres slashed. It was horrible as I thought 'who is targeting me?'

"But then I looked over the road and saw another man looking at his tyres. Then we realised this was a much bigger thing."

An Audi A4 and Audi A3 belonging to Mr Musa were damaged, along with a Mercedes Sprinter van, BMW saloon, Mini Cooper and Vauxhall Corsa.

Mr Musa said he thought at least 15 to 20 cars had been targeted in the Moss Bank Way and Broad O'Th' Lane area.

He added: "The officers said to me that he has never come across anything like this during his nine years in the police.

"It is very worrying that something like this could have happened. Across all of the cars the damage will scale into the thousands.

"I thought it would be good to raise awareness as other areas could be targeted by this guy and people should know what has happened."

Inspector Wayne Readfern, from the Bolton North neighbourhood policing team, appealed for witnesses.

He said: "This is mindless vandalism and has caused massive inconvenience for a lot of people today. It does not appear to be targeted in any way, given the number of vehicles targeted. I'm sure the offender has not even thought about the trouble he has caused and the problems for the owners of the cars.

"It is not even simply a case of having to change a tyre, as two have been damaged in most cases.

"We are appealing for witnesses and hopefully this might shame the culprit into owning up."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 8565761 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.