A POLICE officer was dragged more than 300 yards along a road after he stopped a car after a robbery at a garage at Over Hulton.

The 26-year-old, based at Eccles station, was attempting to get into the passenger side door of the Vauxhall Nova to speak to the driver when the car suddenly accelerated away.

He was dragged along hanging out of the passenger door as the car raced along a street in Irlam early yesterday.

He managed to struggle back inside before the driver lost control and the Nova crashed into a police car.

The officer was taken to Salford's Hope hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

The incident happened two hours after a robbery at the Newbrook Service Station on Newbrook Road, Over Hulton. Two men escaped with cigarettes after attacking a cashier at the Shell garage.

The cashier was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with an injury to his hand but was allowed home.

Officers later attempted to stop a Vauxhall Nova on Silver Street in Irlam.

The car stopped and a man got out before the vehicle drove away again. A 49-year-old man, from Peel Green, was arrested and was today due to appear before Salford magistrates charged with robbery. A 41-year-old man from Eccles has been arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified, drink driving and robbery.