POLICE say they had a "massive response" from the public after video footage emerged of a driver swerving across Blackburn Road, jumping a red light and then crashing into railings — all with a young child on board.

Video footage posted on social media by a motorcyclist who was wearing a helmet-mounted camera shows a car overtaking him in Blackburn Road, Bromley Cross.

It then speeds through a red light, veers across the road and crashes to a stop in Darwen Road, near the war memorial.

Shocked onlookers then saw the male motorist get out - and lift a young child from the driver's side rear door of the vehicle.

Police later said the man, with the youngster in his arms, and a woman who had been a passenger "made off from the scene".

All appeared to have suffered no injuries from the collision.

Officers from Bolton North Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team said on Facebook: "We would like to thank all who have shared the appeal to identify the driver of the vehicle that went through a red light and then crashed on Darwen Road on Friday afternoon with a young child onboard.

"We have had a massive response from members of the public providing possible details of the driver, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to get in touch.

"We can assure you that all information passed to us is being looking at.

"The registered keeper of the vehicle was not the driver, and forensic results should be returned to us shortly.

"A number of statements have been taken by officers and we are looking into several names which have been passed to us, which will hopefully lead us to the driver."

Friday's dramatic incident happened at 4.30pm and involved a driver coming from the direction of Egerton towards Bromley Cross.

The blue Rover MG had a 2003 registration plate and police "believe the driver may have been involved in another collision in Egerton Road near Belmont in Lancashire".

PC Dave Charnock, of Bolton North Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The footage was taken from a head-cam of a motorcyclist’s helmet and we are keen to trace the people involved in the collision.

"I urge anyone who may know the man driving, or saw the car driving erratically before the collision, to contact police."

The driver is described as white, in his early 20s, 5ft 8in tall, of stocky build, with a shaved head, and a tattoo on his neck. He was wearing a grey tracksuit.

Anyone with further information can either call the police non emergency number on 101, the Astley Bridge Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 5761 or PC Charnock on 03103@gmp.police.uk