SHOCKING footage has been released of a serious rush hour car crash.

The smash happened at about 9.30am this morning at the junction of Egerton Street and Gladstone Place in Farnworth.

The film shows a silver Toyota Corolla crashing into the side of a Mercedes Citan van before both vehicles collide into nearby fencing.

The footage was taken from nearby CCTV cameras and supplied to The Bolton News by Stuart Lever, whose U-Drive company own the Mercedes vehicle.

Police said the male driver of the Toyota was taken to hospital following the smash, but his injuries are not thought to be serious.

Mr Lever said his vehicle was written off in the incident.

He said: "Looking at the footage I think it is very lucky that no one was killed.

"If a pedestrian was crossing nearby at that moment it could have been a lot different."

He added: "It is a bit of pain for us but obviously we hope that everyone involved is ok."