A DRIVER fled the scene after crashing their car into a lamppost.

Police officers and firefighters from Bolton Central Fire Station were called to the incident outside the Britannia Hotel in Beaumont Road at about 11.30pm on Sunday night.

After colliding with the lamppost, the car continued to travel for a quarter of a mile down the road before its two occupants left it and ran off.

Police believe that the car, a white BMW, may have been stolen.

The incident was reported to the emergency services by a member of the public shortly after.

It is not known whether the driver or passenger suffered any injuries.

Phil Dearden, crew manager at Bolton Central Fire Station, said: “When we got there we had to secure the road because there was debris in the road.

“Police then took over the scene and were waiting for the Highways Agency to secure what was left of the lamppost.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called just before 11.30pm to reports of a single car collision on Beaumont Road.

"The vehicle had hit a lamppost. Two people were seen fleeing the vehicle towards Lostock Station.

"Enquiries are ongoing into the incident."

Anyone with information on the incident should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 2158 of January 21.